Bidspirit auction | 4 Guna Hand-Carved Shamanic Ritual

4 Guna Hand-Carved Shamanic Ritual Paddles/Stakes - Uncommon four-piece collection of traditional Guna (Kuna/Cuna) shamanic ritual implements, without field collection tags, but believed to be specialized healing wands or stakes, due to the carved notches and serrations that may be considered spirit ladders.  They were likely used by a shaman to ward off evil spirits in the curing area.  This group was collected during the historic 1960s Kapp-Darien expeditions to the Guna (Kuna/Cuna) culture of Panama. Four carved hardwood paddles/wands, ranging from 19” to 29” in length, and only 1.5” to 2” wide.  One is warped and has splits; others show wear and uneven color; please see photos for condition details. Provenance: From the collection of Captain Kit S. Kapp (1926–2013), American explorer, ethnologist, and cartographer.  Collected during his historic expeditions to the San Blas Islands and Darién region of Panama between 1961 and 1972.