Deutscher and Hackett

In areas of the Sepik region of New Guinea, local hunters use spear throwers which are made from bamboo and often have carved hardwood attachments bound onto them. This attachment was used as a guide for the placement of the spear into the hollow shaft of the bamboo spear thrower. The guide also holds the spear in place until it is thrown. These guides represent totemic clan motifs. This expressive example has captured the essence of the cockatoo, which is often represented in Sepik carving.