If you visit Peru today, you will find many Tumi knives hanging from peoples’ walls for good luck.This is because the Peruvian government is using this symbol to endorse tourism. However, what do we know about this unusual knife, and its origins in history? NOTE: The Tumi pictured is from the Met museum, and found at the following link.
Lambayeque culture[efn_note]The Lambayeque are also known as the Sican adopted a beautiful design for their Tumi knife. However, if you lived in the culture in ancient times, your luck would most certainly not be “good” by modern day standards. The ceremonial knives had other uses but they were mostly used for cutting the throats of sacrificial victims during a corresponding ceremony. They are usually worn around the necks of warriors. We see it frequently in different pictures. The shown in this article features the handle in the likeness of one of their gods known as Naylamp. These knives were considered the best examples as well as the most well-known of pre-Colombian art for their lavishly decorated handles etc. Now that we know who the image of the handle is, just who was Naylamp?
Naylamp and the Tumi In History
Let’s start with what we know about its beginning, that is avery good place to start. Do, re, mi … In all seriousness yes, let’s begin. …
Later, the Sican were defeated and absorbed you might say into the Chimu culture where the Chimu adopted the Sican myth of Naylamp and other cultural traditions. During the takeover the Chimu made the artisans of the Sican culture relocate to their capital city Chan Chan.
The legend behind Naylamp is interesting. It tells of how he sailed from the south with his warriors and others looking for new land. He came upon the shore of the northern coast Peru and decided this specific area was their new home. He and his people founded the various valleys of that region of Peru. Naylamp, is the founder of the Sican or Lambayeque civilization. This was a civilization that flourished and began with the founding city of Chot,however known today as Huaca Chotuna. Their contribution to Andean art and metal works is iconic and recognizable for many of their attributes such as the pointed tip eyes found on masks, Tumi knives and headdresses to name a few.
The way the Sican designed the handle of the knife was in the image of Naylamp which includes an elaborate headdress, inlayed turquoise several earrings, and small wings at the shoulders. The reason for the wings echoes the legend that surrounds Naylamp. It is said that he left his people by turning into a bird and flying away. It is for this reason he is depicted with wings and sometimes a bird beak nose.
Discovery about the Naylamp Legend
Back in 2006, archaeologists discovered some sobering evidence behind the Naylamp legend. There was a temple complex discovered with another pyramid tomb within the complex called the Huaca Norte. They found an area containing 33 women sacrifice victims. This temple resides in the ancient city of Chotuna or Chot, Peru the founding city of Naylamp. The people that lived there centuries ago are reported to be the decedents of Naylamp and if correct, this is the firstevidence of any descendants in the flesh ever existing.
Thank you for visiting my site and reading my article. I shall return with more updates later. Remember to:
Explore the World!
~Emma
Material Sources
lambayeque
okheshivartr.blog 