Up Close & Peculiar With a Crocodile Jaw Club

Up Close & Peculiar

More than 100 years ago, the globetrotting Robert Ripley began collecting artifacts from his journeys around the world, which today form the heart of the greatest collection of oddities ever assembled.  Up Close & Peculiar brings the curious history of these pieces to a personal level as our very own, Allyson Iovino, explores the strange relics that lie within our Warehouse walls! Become a part of the story as we share pieces for every history buff, pop culture junkie, and oddities collector alike.

Today: Crocodile Jaw Club

You might be able to tell what this unusual weapon is made out of just by looking at it, but I'll give you a hint: it's not a dinosaur, but it's pretty close!

Rooted in Tradition

This crocodile jaw club is a traditional weapon used by some of the native tribes of Papua New Guinea, especially those living along the Sepik River. They are made from the lower jawbones of crocodiles, which are considered sacred animals by many of the tribes. The crocodile jaw clubs are often used for protection and as tools in ceremonies.

Crocodiles are revered as ancestors, protectors, and symbols of strength and fertility. The tribes have a complex relationship with the crocodiles, sometimes hunting them for food and skins, and sometimes honoring them with different rituals and offerings.

Sacred Ceremonies

One of the most striking crocodile rituals that still goes on today is crocodile scarification, which is performed as a rite of passage. The ceremony involves cutting the skin of the participants with bamboo slivers or razor blades, creating patterns that resemble the scales of a crocodile . The wounds are then rubbed with ash and clay to create raised scars that will last for life. The process is extremely painful and dangerous, but it is also a sign of courage and maturity within the community. 

If you want to get Up Close with this curious club, stop by Ripley's Believe It or Not! Ocean City!