magical objects, which Thilenius informs were
used for healing purposes. From the perspective
of magical potency, there may be a correlation
between these and the weather charm under consideration
126
here. Thilenius also states that human
skulls were used for conjuring and invocations to
treat illness. He goes on to say that
The skulls of the dead are also otherwise considered
valuable. A skull may, for example, be placed
on the outrigger platform of a fi sherman’s boat in
the belief that it will attract fi sh. Moreover, for the
same purpose, he may also hang a human lower
jaw decorated with white feathers and foliage fi g.
9. ... A magical object made of human hair is
believed to have similar powers. ... It is watertight,
wrapped in coconut fi ber cordage, decorated
with foliage, and sometimes also worn around
the neck fi g. 10.
It is in the following portion of his text that
Thilenius makes comments that can most di-
FIG. 6 (above):
Employees of the
Hamburg trading
company Hernsheim &
Co. on Matupit, c. 1890.
Managing Director Max
Thiel stands on the veranda
holding his hat in one hand.
Foto Arvhive Museum für
Völkerkunde, Hamburg.
FIG. 7 (right):
Georg Christian Thilenius,
1905.
Photo by Rudolf Dührkoop.
From Buch Hamburgische Männer
und Frauen am Anfang des XX
Jahrhunderts, Hamburg 1905.