? on Native bows

[n2everythg]

I have a question for y'all.
I was re-reading Thoms 'children of first man'. Pretty good read. anyway I came across something I think was just the product of the authors imagination but it got me to thinking.
He was talking about some indian inthe book that had a bow with a flint point on the end. kinda like a spear/bow combo.
Sounded like a pretty cool / useful weapon. spear when unbraced bow otherwise.
started to think about how it could be done or whether or not it really had ever been done.
Anybody ever see or hear of historical ref to any tribes that may have done something like this?

Seems as though it would not be vary practical tho. even if a small blade it would add significant weight to the tip. would probably fly off when shot. Not to mention the issues of 'splitting the end of a bow to insert the point. Even if you made the knock lower on the stave to give room to haft a blade or reinforced it some how.

Thinking it was just the product of the authors imagination and lack of knowledge of bows but what do y'all think?
N2

[Papa Matt]

Don't know whether it was ever done or not, but I agree with you. I wouldn't even want to attempt it because surely the risks and disadvantages would far outweigh the benefits.

~~Matt

[Marc St Louis]

I don't see any reason why it couldn't be done.  There is a museum piece that has an iron point in one limb, perhaps to be used as a club

[uwe]

No, its not imagination by the author! Look at my picture. Carl Bodmer painted this in early 19th century, while he travelled with "Prinz zu Wied" through North America. The prince was a wide looking man, who wanted to see the natives as they were. He looked into the future and saw that the white man would destroy theit lives and culture...

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[uwe]

Forgot a word: somewhere I read that it was only used in ceremonies?

[Papa Matt]

That's what I was going to say too. From what I've read historically on native american archery, some bows were "medicine bows" and used for ceremony, and not actual use. Another example of this are bows the buffalo hunters made out of pure rib, or horn, with no wood at all.


In the movie Dances With Wolves, there is a long (looks like 5-6 feet) skinny bow in the medicine man (Kicking Bird)'s tipi. It is somewhat decorated and I believe can be seen at one other time in the movie. Check it out and see if you see what I'm talking about.


~Matt

[JackCrafty]

After a little research, I learned that among the Lakota, the bow-lance was a powerful symbol among warrior societies.  Only one bow-lance existed in each society and was carried by the "lance-bearer": a warrior who was expected to lead in combat, expose himself to danger, and stand his ground (to the death, if necessary).  The modern equivalent would be akin to "the colors" or battle flag among military units.

The bow lance was actually a lance shaped like a bow...and was not strung...or used to shoot arrows.  It could be (and was) used as a lance.

[JackCrafty]

Lokota.....decorated with eagle feathers.  About 47" long?

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[Papa Matt]

Yep, check out the movie. That's what Kicking Bird had.

~Matt

[Hillbilly]

Reginald Laubin mentioned those in his book American Indian Archery. He agreed that they were ceremonial.

[sailordad]

"DANCES WITH WOLVES"

one of my most fav movies,never really noticed the lance bow. i guess i'll watch  the directors cut and pay real close attention.