A tomahawk is a type of single-handed axe used by the many Indigenous peoples and nations of North America. It traditionally resembles a hatchet with a straight shaft. In pre-colonial times the head was made of stone, bone, or antler, and European settlers later introduced heads of iron and steel. The term came into the English language in the 17th century as an adaptation of the Powhatan (Virginian Algonquian) word.

Tomahawks were general-purpose tools used by Native Americans and later the European colonials with whom they traded, and often employed as a hand-to-hand weapon

Etymology

The name comes from Powhatan tamahaac, derived from the Proto-Algonquian root *temah- ‘to cut off by tool’. Algonquian cognates include Lenape təmahikan, Malecite-Passamaquoddy tomhikon, and Abenaki demahigan, all of which mean ‘axe’

History

The Algonquian people created the tomahawk. Before Europeans came to the continent, Native Americans would use stones, sharpened by a process of knapping and pecking, attached to wooden handles, secured with strips of rawhide. The tomahawk quickly spread from the Algonquian culture to the tribes of the South and the Great Plains.

Native Americans created a tomahawk’s poll, the side opposite the blade, which consisted of a hammer, spike or pipe. These became known as pipe tomahawks, which consisted of a bowl on the poll and a hollowed out shaft.

General Purpose Tool

Many Native Americans used tomahawks as general-purpose tools. Because they were small and light, they could be used with one hand. This made them ideal for such activities as hunting, chopping, and cutting. Both the Navajo and Cherokee peoples used them in this way. The development of metal-bladed tomahawks expanded their use even more. Most Native Americans had their own individual tomahawks, which they decorated to suit their personal taste. As Native American artwork shows, many of these were decorated with eagle feathers, which represented acts of bravery.

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  • SupFBI [comrade/them]@hexbear.net
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    5 days ago

    Anyone else feel like they shouldn’t bother with a partner? I’m too opinionated, feel very (I’ve been told too much) strongly about things and express as much. I’m also an introvert, tired all the time, and somewhat of a curmudgeon.

    I’m good looking and funny. I don’t have trouble with dating. Beginning to think I shouldn’t bother getting into anything serious. Kind of just want to be alone.

    • Commiejones [comrade/them, he/him]@hexbear.net
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      5 days ago
      Sounds like me before I found my partner.

      I didn’t “want” to be alone but I had given up on expecting otherwise. I was sick of disappointment and heartbreak so I embarked on on a strategy of short term flings. I was on the move a lot back then and I was very clear with partners that I was a rolling stone. A couple years after my last relationship I realized what I was doing and internally formalized the decision to never even bother thinking about a long term partnership. A few months later I met my lady, after “short term dating” for a month it was time for me to move on but she wanted to come with me so we did that. I really liked her but figured eventually she’d realize I am an asshole and a loser and go home. She didn’t. Instead she made me less of an asshole and its been a few years now (I’m still a loser but she’s ok with that).

    • dustbunnies [she/her, comrade/them]@hexbear.net
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      5 days ago

      too opinionated,

      🙄 so say the apathetic!

      feel very (I’ve been told too much) strongly about things and express as much

      “expressively passionate” is a bad thing?!?

      I’m also an introvert

      me too, spouse too, nothing wrong with this

      tired all the time,

      us too, it’s probably all those damn extroverts 😂

      and somewhat of a curmudgeon.

      this is a quality you share with @shadowinlight and something I personally find cute. I’ve got more of an “ornery fairy” kind of personality, and I think it can be very fun to cheer up and delight curmudgeons.

      you’re a cheerfulness challenge, which some people enjoy ☺️

      none of these things are red flags. none of them will be deal-breakers for the right people.

      Kind of just want to be alone.

      follow that instinct! give yourself what you feel like you need, you’re probably right.

      if the right person comes along while you’re in alone-mode, you’ll know and they’ll know and it’ll be much harder than usual to let it go.

      • SupFBI [comrade/them]@hexbear.net
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        4 days ago

        I’m recently divorced, following a 17 year marriage (and 20 year relationship). 15 of those years were wonderful. COVID, having a child, and then Trump changed everything. I got radicalised, my then spouse wanted to not think about politics because it depressed her. She got tired of me.