History of the Tomahawk
Captain John Smith was the first European to mention the tomahawk in 1612 using the term 'tomahack' and described the weapons as "a long stone sharpened at both ends". Tomahawks were later described as hatchets or pickaxe style weapons and tools. The versatility of the tomahawk was so appreciated by the European settlers and traders that this weapon was adopted as an essential item and widely used in the New World. The tomahawk was carried by American soldiers during the Revolutionary War. The Continental Congress required militiamen to carry either a tomahawk or a cutting sword. The tomahawk was generally used as a striking weapon by the Iroquoian and Algonquian tribes of eastern North America. The tomahawk blade was extremely thin and from 7-9 inches long
History of the Tomahawk - Symbolism
The tomahawk was the Native American emblem of warfare - symbolized two sides of a coin: war and peace. A council ritual was associated with the tomahawk. When a war council started a tomahawk, painted red, was placed on the ground in front of the chief. If, after deliberation, it was decided to raise a war party the war chief would raise the red tomahawk and rouse the warriors with war songs and dances. To bury a tomahawk meant peace - to dig it up, meant to declare the most deadly warfare. Hence the phrase "to bury the hatchet" in reference to the settlement of disputes. Tomahawks were used in important ceremonies, such as signing a peace treaty. Ceremonial tomahawks were elaborately decorated with paint and feathers, and often had a hollow stem fixed at the end with a pipe bowl for smoking.
The Pipe Tomahawk - Symbol of War and Peace
The Pipe tomahawk, or 'smoak tomahawk' combined both the hatchet and the pipe in one single item - symbols of both war and peace. The Pipe tomahawk was known to be adopted by the Cherokee tribe as early as the 1750's and was also in common use by the tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy.
Use of the Tomahawk
The Tomahawk was therefore used for a variety of purposes:
- A cutting tool
- A close combat weapon
- A throwing weapon
- A ceremonial device
- A symbol of warfare
Tomahawk
The materials required to make a Tomahawk include the following:
- Dry, hard wood was selected for the handle of the tomahawk about 12-15 inches in length
- Axe head made from stone, antler, bone or metal
- The head was hafted to handle with from sinew or plant fibers
Making weapons, such as the Tomahawk, was an essential role of all American Indian men. Making a Tomahawk was a time consuming task requiring both patience and skill.
Native Indian Tomahawk - Stone Age Culture
The Stone Age life style of Native Americans ranged from nomadic, semi-nomadic to static across the vast continent of North America and despite this many of them shared similar culture and weapons such as the Tomahawk. The basic component of the majority of their their weapons was stone, bone, horn and wood.
Tomahawk
- Pictures of Native American Indian weapons for kids
- Description and definition of the Tomahawk weapon
- Materials required to make a weapon
- Making a Tomahawk - method of construction
- The history and use of the weapon and method of fighting
- Interesting facts and information for kids and schools
Tomahawk - Pictures and Videos of Native Americans
Discover the interesting facts and information which relate to the History of Native Americans and the weapons they used such as the Tomahawk. The pictures on this site show the weapons and tools that were used by various Native Indian tribes that can be used as a really useful educational history resource for kids and children of all ages. We have included pictures and videos to accompany the main topic of this section - the Tomahawk. The videos enable fast access to the images, paintings and pictures together with information and many historical facts. All of the articles and pages can be accessed via the Native Indian Tribes Index - a great educational resource for kids providing an unusual insight into their culture.
