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The Indian Tomahawk
The term tomahawk is a derivative of
the Algonquin word tamahak. It quickly became the common name for
various types of axes used by natives, trappers and coureurs de
bois. Shortly after the arrival of Europeans, the tomahawk stone
head gave way to the metal axe heads offered by traders. They
could be iron, brass, bronze or even copper and was primarily used
for warfare. Each European nation producing tomahawk heads for the
Indian trade used its own pattern and making. The English
blade resemble a freight
axe, the French was shaped like a fleur-de-lis, and the
Spanish was in the shape of a broadax. However it was the
Indian artisan who gave the tomahawk its growing glory
with his beaded, carved, fur-covered, painted handles,
and stately beaded tabs whang appendages which were in
perfect proportion and attached to the handle ends.
In 1612, William Strachey distinguished between and Indian
Hatchet (stone axe or cunenagwas) and a hatchet (iron
trade axe). Learning from immigrant blacksmiths, Indians
started to manufacture their own tomahawks using old gun barrels,
horseshoes, and even worn out wagon rims.
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