Pisuwe
Papuan bone dagger
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pisuwe is a dagger from the island of New Guinea. Ndam pisuwe[1] or Ndam emak pisuwe are those that are made with human femur bone and Pi pisuwe are for those that are made with Cassowary bone.[2] Prior to the colonization of the Dutch in the 1950s, these daggers are carried by the Asmat people[1] and they are used only in ritual killings.[2] These daggers are usually embellished with Cassowary feathers at the pommel and decorated with carved in artworks depicting humans and animals.[1] Asmat men would wear this dagger as part of their traditional attire during customary ceremonies by girding it on the side of their waist.[3]
TypeDagger
PlaceoforiginNew Guinea:
Indonesia (South Papua)
Indonesia (South Papua)
UsedbyAsmat people
Lengthc. 13.25 in (337 mm)
| Pisuwe | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Dagger |
| Place of origin | New Guinea: Indonesia (South Papua) |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Asmat people |
| Specifications | |
| Length | c. 13.25 in (337 mm) |
| Blade type | Spike |
| Hilt type | Human femur or Cassowary bone |
