Fly whisk
A fly whisk ( English fly whisk , French Chasse-mouche , Hindi chamara ) is a simple tool to scare small flying insects . In the course of time it developed into a symbol of sovereignty or even rule in various regions of the world, but above all in large parts of Black Africa and Southeast Asia .
Shape and material
Unlike a fly swatter , a fly whisk usually consists of a bundle of grass, animal hair, etc .; this does not kill the insects, but only drives them away. The handle, which is mostly braided, sometimes even made of metal or ivory , can be artistically decorated; an eyelet or loop was used to hang the device on the wall or to hold it better.
history
Fly whisks have been known for millennia and were originally simple tools for household use. But soon it was left to slaves or servants to take care of the expulsion of mosquitoes, flies, etc. at meals or other events; In this way the host and his guests kept both hands free. In depictions from later times, the servants often stand behind or next to the local or supraregional rulers and gods sitting on a throne , and with the - sometimes also perfumed - fronds provided fragrances and a slightly cooling air movement.
art
In the Buddhist , Jainist and Hindu art of Asia, fly whiskers - mostly held by servants - are often depicted. Buddhist monks or Sikh scholars usually hold the fronds themselves.
