• DOI:10.1177/002580246500500111
• Corpus ID: 208362795

Offensive Weapons of the World

@article{DeMELLO1965OffensiveWO,
  title={Offensive Weapons of the World},
  author={J P De MELLO},
  journal={Medicine, Science and the Law},
  year={1965},
  volume={5},
  pages={44 - 45}
}

• J. D. De MELLO
• Published 1 January 1965
• Medicine
• Medicine, Science and the Law

DEATHS caused by arrow poison have been recorded quite frequently in Kenya. Recently in Nairobi an accused was found guilty of " murder " with arrows. The study of poison arrows is therefore an important subject in forensic medicine in African countries. Archery was always a much needed accom­ plishment among African tribes. The Kipsigis and the Nandis are skilful archers, but the Kambas of Kenya are famous for their pro­ ficiency in the art of preparing and using poison arrows, both as offensive and defensive weapons. It is also customary among the Kambas to go out game-hunting with poison arrows, and they readily eat the flesh with relish and without any untoward symptoms! In 1963, near Sultan Hamud, which is about 60 miles from the city of Nairobi, raiders armed with bows and poison arrows killed several herds of prized cattle for meat. Poaching of wild life with poison arrows is not uncommon, not only to procure elephant tusks or rhino­ ceros horns, but also for the flesh of these animals, which is considered very tasty.