44 BULLETIN 137, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Composite harpoon arrow^ Negritos, Zamhales Pi'ovince, Luzon. — 

 The shaft consists of a somewhat irregular wood stick which has the 

 coloring of molave. The nock has the characteristic notched incision 

 peculiar to Negrito arrow shafts. Proximal shaft end shows traces 

 of fire burning over which has been placed a wrapping of bejuco. 

 Feathering has been lost, but was originally placed 23.5 centimeters 

 (9.3 inches) from the proximal end. Distal shaft end is wrapped 

 for a distance of 23 centimeters (9 inches). A unique weaving of 

 rattan splints extends a distance of 5 centimeters (2 inches) from 

 the distal end of the shaft. The weave might be termed a reverse 

 twill or herringbone pattern as the splints are passed over one, un- 

 der one, and then brought back again at right angles so as to form 

 seven series of ridges where the reversed element is caught up by 

 the opposing reversed element. Just above this basketry ferrule 

 is the place of attachment of the harpoon lanyard, which consists 

 of five distinct two-ply strands of native cord looped about the shaft 

 and wrapped with bejuco. The lanyard is 127 centimeters (50 in- 

 ches) long. The iron arrowhead has three parallel sets of barbs to- 

 gether with a peculiar tailpiece with extends 4 centimeters (1.6 in- 

 ches) beyond the tang socket. The most unique feature of this 

 weapon is the tang piece, which is composed of a carved section of 

 wood 11 centimeters (4.3 inches) long, with the smaller end fitted 

 into the socket of the iron arrowhead and with the larger end fitted 

 to the socketed and ferruled opening of the shaft. This device is 

 also employed by the Bushmen of Africa who sometimes employ as 

 many as five distinct pieces in their composite arrowheads. It is 

 also used by the Negritos in Africa, in New Guinea, in the Anda- 

 man Islands, and elsewhere in Malaysia. It constitutes a culture 

 survival unique in the history of primitive peoples. Negrito tribes 

 are encountered using this type of composite harpoon arrow even 

 when entirely surrounded by peoples equipped with entirely dijffer- 

 ent weapons, including distinct arrow types. 



Length of shaft, 97 centimeters (37 inches). Collected by Lieut. 

 W. F. H. Godson, United States Army. (PI. 4, No. 11.) Cat. No. 

 306681, U.S.N.M. 



Negritos, Zamhales Province, Luzon, composite harpoon arrow. — 

 The bamboo shaft, bejuco wrapping, basketry ferrule, and multiple 

 strand lanyard attachment, all are similar to the unique Negrito 

 composite arrows just described. There are, however, these differ- 

 ences: The wood tang piece is attached to the lanyard at a point 

 8 centimeters from the iron arrowhead so that it may be socketed 

 when the arrow is to be used. In the previously described arrow 

 the unsecured wood tang is usually lost; in this shaftment the 

 piece is retrieved each time that it is used. The arrow has no barbs 

 and the tailpiece is likewise unbarbed. 



