Cherokee bows

[VicNova]

Didn't some Cherokee bows have oval shaped bellies?

[Scallorn]

A great example of early eastern woodland bows is the Powhatan bows in Allely and Hamm's encyclopedia. They were collected in Virginia, just north of Cherokee territory in 1665. Another example is the Choctaw hickory bow found in 1802. The Choctaw lived just south of Cherokee territory in Alabama.

[VicNova]

The are perfect examples, thanks!

[Scallorn]

The Spiro mounds bow was found in eastern Oklahoma, (I live in north east Texas) and is the same style 66" long, made of osage. I build all of my bows in this style because it seems to be the most widespread design in the eastern US, and the most primitive. It makes sense to me that if the tribes north, south, and west of Cherokee territory used this design, the Cherokees likely used it too.

[JW_Halverson]

Those books by Allely and Hamm are well worth the money!

[JackCrafty]

There has been some dispute about the bow in he second picture.  I can't remember where, but there is a forum thread on the idea that the so-called "Choctaw" bow is actually a bow from Papua New Guinea or somewhere in that part of the world.

[Scallorn]

Hmmm... That's very interesting Jack'. I was unaware of that until now, but now that I look at it it does seem like something from that area. You learn something new every day, thanks for the info. 

[burchett.donald]

  That boo or cane string is just  Wish I new how the cane was attached...

[JackCrafty]

The string on that "Choctaw" bow is probably rattan, formed while wet and pliable.  IMO.

[Traxx]

There has been some dispute about the bow in he second picture.  I can't remember where, but there is a forum thread on the idea that the so-called "Choctaw" bow is actually a bow from Papua New Guinea or somewhere in that part of the world.

That was my thought,immediately on seeing this pic.
I have never seen any of that type braidwork or string on any Native north American bow.