One of the rarest symbols associated with the Native Americans is the tomahawk. Thewords "Tamahakan” or “Tamahak” mean stone-headed implements used as tools and weapons. The Native Americans would use these to fight, hunt, chop down wood, etc. The Tomahawk was made of solid iron, iron with welded steel bit, brass with steel bit and solid brass. The opposite side of the cutting edge was sometimes made for hammers, spikes, or pipe bowls. Before the Europeans started trading with the Indians, the head of the tomahawk was sometimes made of stone. Depending on what materials they had available, most Indians liked to decorate their tomahawks with cloth and beads and symbols. Sometimes they gave tomahawks as gifts or prepared them for rituals. The Tomahawk was usually a gift they gave after trading so the Indians declared it a sign of peace. This powerful, historical, and important weapon and tool has lots of meaning to it and it was and is very important to the Native Americans.
By: Julie Amble
