Hedgehog helmet
| Hedgehog helmet | |
|---|---|
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| Information | |
| Weapon type: | helmet |
| Designations: | Diodon helmet, puffer fish helmet, Porcupine fish helmet |
| Use: | Protective weapon |
| Region of origin / author: |
Micronesia , ethnic groups from Kiribati : Gilbert Islands , Ellica Islands , Nauru |
| Distribution: | Polynesia |
| Lists on the subject | |
The hedgehog fish helmet ( gilbertesisch : Tauti or Tebarantauti ), ( English Porcupine fish helmet ) is a protective weapon mainly from Micronesia .
description
The hedgehog fish helmet is made from the skin of fish belonging to the hedgehog group (Diodontidae). The caught fish is irritated until it inflates, then buried in the ground until the skin is completely dry and forms a ball. The spines that are present in the skin are preserved, as are the fins of the fish. Cheek flaps and back of the head protection are worked out on the helmet, supposedly to protect against hits with coral chunks that were thrown at the enemy by family members over the head of the warrior, also to be protected from turning movements.
use
This helmet is worn in connection with the full body coconut fiber armor exclusively by lone fighters. The helmet should protect the wearer against blows with shark tooth clubs and swords as well as against spear thrusts ( Taumangaria ). The bow was unknown.
distribution
The hedgehog fish helmet is mainly known from the Micronesian former Gilbert and Ellica islands , today's Kiribati and Tuvalu , as well as Nauru .
literature
- Buddy Davis, Kay Davis: Marvels of Creation. Sensational Sea Creatures. Master Books, Green Forest AR 2006, ISBN 0-89051-458-5 , p. 47.
- EW Gudger: Puffer Fishes and some interesting uses of their Skins. In: New York Zoological Society. Bulletin. Vol. 22, No. 6, ZDB -ID 955794-5 , pp. 126-129, here p. 129.
- Gerd Koch : Material culture of the Gilbert Islands. Nonouti, Tabiteuea, Onotoa (= publications of the Museum für Völkerkunde, Berlin. Department: Südsee. NF 6, 3, ISSN 0522-9766 ). Museum of Ethnology, Berlin 1965.
- Karl von den Steinen : The Marquesans and their art. Studies on the development of primitive South Sea ornaments based on own travel results and the material of the museums. Volume 2: Plastic. D. Reimer (E. Vohsen), Berlin 1928, p. 17, (new edition. Fines Mundi, Saarbrücken 2008, ISBN 978-3-937246-08-6 ).
