Poto at last.

VANDOO · 12th January 2009, 04:54 PM

THE POMMEL COVER IS A FETISH BAG I SUPPOSE THESE ARE MADE AND PUT ON THE SWORD BY THE WITCHDOCTOR UNLESS THE SWORDMAKERS ARE WITCHDOCTORS AND CAN MAKE THE SWORD AND THE FETISH. THEY ARE OFTEN COVERED IN LEOPARD FUR BUT I HAVE SEEN OTHER FUR USED BUT SUSPECT LEOPARD IS THE PREFERRED MATERIAL. I HAVE ALSO SEEN QUITE A FEW WITH THE FETISH BAG MISSING AND HAVE HEARD STORIES THAT MISSONAIRYS HAD THEM REMOVE THEM AS IT WAS CONSIDERED A HEATHEN SUPERSTITION TO BELIEVE IN MAGIC AND WITCHDOCTORS.
I HAVE NO IDEA AS TO WHAT GOES INTO A FETISH BAG BUT YOU SEE THEM ON AFRICAN, NIAS, DAYAK WEAPONS AND IN MANY INSTANCES CHARMS AND TAILSMEN ARE WRITTEN ON THE SWORDS OR PERHAPS A SMALL PIECE OF PAPER WITH A STRONG CHARM IS INSERTED SOMEWHERE. THE AMERICAN TRIBES OFTEN CARRIED A MEDICINE BAG WHICH WAS ALSO A FETISH.
IT WOULD BE INTERESTING IF A STUDY HAS BEEN DONE ON THE CONTENTS OF THE FETISHES AND THE POWERS ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE CONTENTS.
CONGRADULATIONS ON A NICE OLD SWORD.

katana · 12th January 2009, 05:31 PM

Apparently this form of sword is attributable to several tribes Ngombe, Poto or Ngbandi.

Found this example, which has lost the pommel covering....to reveal straw. However, this could have been 'protection' for an object held within or even the straw itself may have symbolic or religious meaning. It is 'so easy' ...with western eyes to think the 'straw' is insignificant or just 'stuffing'. Afterall it could be dried grass that originally grew on sacred ground etc.It is known through the centuries that some warriors carried a small quantity of 'home soil' as a talisman ....even dracula in Stoker's story needed earth from his native country , sprinkled in his coffin. Perhaps, a similar idea

http://www.hamillgallery.com/CURRENC...CY/Poto04.html

http://www.hamillgallery.com/CURRENC...CY/Poto11.html

Regards David

12th January 2009, 04:54 PM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THE POMMEL COVER IS A FETISH BAG I SUPPOSE THESE ARE MADE AND PUT ON THE SWORD BY THE WITCHDOCTOR UNLESS THE SWORDMAKERS ARE WITCHDOCTORS AND CAN MAKE THE SWORD AND THE FETISH. THEY ARE OFTEN COVERED IN LEOPARD FUR BUT I HAVE SEEN OTHER FUR USED BUT SUSPECT LEOPARD IS THE PREFERRED MATERIAL. I HAVE ALSO SEEN QUITE A FEW WITH THE FETISH BAG MISSING AND HAVE HEARD STORIES THAT MISSONAIRYS HAD THEM REMOVE THEM AS IT WAS CONSIDERED A HEATHEN SUPERSTITION TO BELIEVE IN MAGIC AND WITCHDOCTORS. I HAVE NO IDEA AS TO WHAT GOES INTO A FETISH BAG BUT YOU SEE THEM ON AFRICAN, NIAS, DAYAK WEAPONS AND IN MANY INSTANCES CHARMS AND TAILSMEN ARE WRITTEN ON THE SWORDS OR PERHAPS A SMALL PIECE OF PAPER WITH A STRONG CHARM IS INSERTED SOMEWHERE. THE AMERICAN TRIBES OFTEN CARRIED A MEDICINE BAG WHICH WAS ALSO A FETISH. IT WOULD BE INTERESTING IF A STUDY HAS BEEN DONE ON THE CONTENTS OF THE FETISHES AND THE POWERS ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE CONTENTS. CONGRADULATIONS ON A NICE OLD SWORD. Last edited by VANDOO; 12th January 2009 at 05:26 PM.

12th January 2009, 05:31 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Apparently this form of sword is attributable to several tribes Ngombe, Poto or Ngbandi. Found this example, which has lost the pommel covering....to reveal straw. However, this could have been 'protection' for an object held within or even the straw itself may have symbolic or religious meaning. It is 'so easy' ...with western eyes to think the 'straw' is insignificant or just 'stuffing'. Afterall it could be dried grass that originally grew on sacred ground etc.It is known through the centuries that some warriors carried a small quantity of 'home soil' as a talisman ....even dracula in Stoker's story needed earth from his native country , sprinkled in his coffin. Perhaps, a similar idea http://www.hamillgallery.com/CURRENC...CY/Poto04.html http://www.hamillgallery.com/CURRENC...CY/Poto11.html Regards David