Known as 'palitai', this is an example of a dagger from Siberut Island off the coast of West Sumatra. The straight blade, which is pointed with a double edge, is fitted into a curved wooden handle. The blade is made of imported iron probably from Sumatra as it is thought Mentawai has no history of metalwork. The wooden sheath is decorated with bone at the tip. Daggers are placed on the right side of the loincloth so that it can easily be drawn when there is danger.The Mentawai also known as Mentawei and Mentawi, are the native people of the Mentawai islands located in the Indian Ocean in West Sumatra. The islands consist of Siberut, Sipora and North and South Pagai. The Mentawai, whose roots can be traced to the Neolithic period, live a semi-nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle characterised by animistic beliefs.
