Cassowary Boner Knife - Upper Sepik River

Bone knives and daggers are used for hunting, fighting and for ceremony. Metal knives and bush knives have replaced bone for everyday needs, but bone knives are still made. Interesting bone knives and daggers are found in the Abelam area of the East Sepik Province and the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, and in the Asmat area of Papua (Irian Jaya).

The Iatmul on the middle Sepik River make ceremonial bone or wood daggers topped with clay heads painted with clan designs. Razor sharp, temporary knives are cut from slivers of bamboo to butcher game or other jobs requiring an extremely sharp, renewable edge.

The thigh bone of the cassowary, a large, ostrich-like bird, is the most common bone made into daggers. Cassowary bone daggers are around 15 - 18 inches long (35 - 45 cm). Pig bone is used for smaller knives. Human bone daggers from slain enemies or deceased, powerful relatives are worn by warriors.