During the Middle Kingdom of Egypt, apotropaic wands began to be used during birth ceremonies. These wands were made out of Hippopotamus tusks which were split down the middle lengthwise, producing two wands, each with one flat side and one curved side. Due to the curved nature of a Hippopotamus tusk, these wands were curved, with one pointed end (the point of the tusk) and one blunt end (where the tusk was removed from the Hippopotamus).