Couteau en pierre et os magique ·  Australie centrale · ID: 3051339

Description

a) flaked chert knife with a red spinifex ochre handle, eucalyptus bark sheath, folded over and wrapped with human hair string, l: 17.8 cm, 21 cm (with sheath)

b) “pointing bone”, spinifex resin, l: 16.4 cm, collection no. “CG 308”

The pointed bone is a powerful weapon used for so-called “pointing the bone” or “boning”. The bone, which is magically charged and cursed, is pointed at the person whose death is desired. If the bone functions correctly, the target will soon sicken and die - usually without showing any obvious medical causation. This is a psychosomatic phenomenon that works through indoctrination and instilled belief.