Asmat Cassowary Bone Dagger (Pi Pisuwe) bangles org/sukuma-culture-and-tanzania/)

org/sukuma-culture-and-tanzania/)

The bottle is remarkably well-preserved

flowing mane with a prominent forelock

and spiritual life—a testament to one of the world’s most enduring tribal traditions

The figure's looped arms and hands-on-hips stance convey an authoritative posture

Asmat Cassowary Bone Dagger (Pi Pisuwe) bangles org/sukuma-culture-and-tanzania/)Asmat people, early to mid 20th century, Irian Jaya (Papua), Indonesia A superb early cassowary bone dagger. Daggers of this type are known as pi pisuwe, while those carved from human femur were reserved for the most sacred and high status contexts. Although carried during displays of warfare, bone daggers were principally used in ritual killings, initiations, and ceremonial attire, symbolising courage, prestige and ancestral power. The Asmat inhabit