African Spear For Comment

[Lew]

Hi Guys

This is the other item I picked up this week. A nice example of Ngbandi spear?
It seems a bit short to me even though it measures 68" long is it possible that it was shortened at some point in it's life? Let me know what you think.

Lew

[Tim Simmons]

Lew,
That spear looks absolutely fine to me, a close up of the end would be helpful. From what we see at the moment it is a really great spear ,super find. Tim+Sam

[Freddy]

You are quite right : a Ngbandi spear. There's nothing wrong with the length of your spear. I have a similar one which measures about 63 inches (157,5 cm).

Don't forget these were weapons for close combat, stabbing spears. The long blades of Ngbandi spears were used for thrusting through the shield of the opponent.

I see some nice carving on the handle.

The metal 'shovel-type' butt is not typical, but spear blades were traded all over Central Africa. It's possible that the owner preferred that type of butt end to the more conventional one. Nothing wrong with that either.

Later, I will post some pictures of butt ends on the forum.

[Freddy]

Nothing wrong with that butt, just another type. ;)

Here are some pics of different spear butts from the Congo area

Typical spear butt found on Ngbandi spears, but also used by the following tribes : Bati, Benge, Poto, Ngombe and Gens d'Eau. Mostly made of iron and rather heavy. To counter balance the weight of the big spear blade. (Length : 8 cm)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1305.jpg

Top to bottom :

Bell as found on spears coming from the Mongo-tribes (Length : 29 cm, width : 10 cm)

Long iron spike, Ngbandi spear. (Length : 55 cm)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1306.jpg

Three smaller spears (top to bottom)

From the Nkundu, Lia or Konda-tribes, made from copper. (Length : 8 cm)

End of an light spear, tribe unknown (Length : 8,5 cm)

Butt end of a small spear from the Bana-pygmees, Aruwimi-area (Congo)(Length : 19,5 cm)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1307.jpg

Two butt ends of thrusting spears (top to bottom)

Used by following tribes : Ngbaka, Ngombe, Doko. The butt end is wrapped with iron banding. (Length : 19 cm)

Atypical spear butt from an unknown tribe (Congo-area). Looks like a spear head, but is not sharpened. (Length : 19,5 cm)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1304.jpg

I have to measurements to give you an idea, this doesn't mean the butt ends are always exactly this size. These can vary quite considerably.

[Tim Simmons]

This spear butt is also from the congo. A heavy octagonal spike, the pin in the female socket also seems to be a congo thing. You do not see it in southern spears or those from the east and the horn, I have not seen it from the western trade coasts or the north though I have seen a pin in the blade socket in Hausa and other northern spears. Tim

[VANDOO]

THE BEST ARTICLE ON BUTTS EVER ON THE FORUM !

ONE APPEARS TO HAVE A BELL ON IT IS IT A DANCING BUTT :D

[Tim Simmons]

Lets all do the konga!!! :rolleyes:

[Ferguson]

Lew, you've got the bestest toys!

Steve

[Mark]

Yes, yes, very cool stuff. But what I want to know is...what in blazes is your avatar, Freddy? :confused: It looks like the Planter's Peanut man with a really bad sunburn. He seems to be holding a naginata, though.

[Freddy]

Yes, yes, very cool stuff. But what I want to know is...what in blazes is your avatar, Freddy? :confused: It looks like the Planter's Peanut man with a really bad sunburn. He seems to be holding a naginata, though.

It's an old (and very nice) Wayang golek cepak puppet from Cirebon. It had a label with the name 'Umar Madi'. It has a real moustache and.....a keris, of course. The red colour of the face is an indication of the puppet's character, which can be furious.

Here's a better picture :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding093.jpg

[Bill]

I have a feeling that the stuff Freddy & Vandoo have collected might be as interesting as a visit to a museum.

[Mark]

Aha. :) He actually doesn't look like the Planter's Peanut man when you see him close up. Very nice. I have two Burmese marionettes, a warrior and a prince (carrying a dha and a dagger, respectively), which I rather like. :cool:

[zalmoxis]

Hi I am new here. I just want to ask Freddy if he has a Boa tribe spear. I could not found one and I looked hard. Belgium is the heaven for the African Weapon collection. You must have one!!:-).

[Freddy]

Hi Zalmoxis,

Great to have you here. Look at your private messages for my answer.

Freddy :)