Ceremonial Iron from Cameroon - real or fantasy ?

[Martin Lubojacky]

At first - family photo of previous sickles (from Rhumsiki /?/; the biggist one is 47 cm long).

Then - there is "punk" ceremonial iron obtained in Maroua - also North Cameroon. Again -I have never seen such before....
Martin

[Tim Simmons]

Really nice. My first thought was how similar to more standard Kirdi currency axes, so I found this site with one nowhere near as nice as yours!

http://www.amyas.net/thumbs.php?catid=5&height=0

I like the zigzag patterns and the placing of the brass dot is just right. I want one :o .

[Lew]

Sweet I just love these types of things.

[Wodimi]

Hi Martin,
the three upper sickles I think are dancing sickles from the Dadiya (9°36'/11°30'), called "jen'nyi". Christophe Evers wrote in his book "Art of the Upper Benue River" that these ceremonial weapons used by young men in their coming of age festival "kal".
This other rituell throwing knife called "cicawa" comes from a small group called Ga'anda (9°30'/12°35'), like the Dadiya, a Chadic or Adamawa speaking ethnic group living in Nigeria at the upper Benue river.
This "cicawa" are never used as weapon, but are carried by the guardians of the initiants at the end of the boys initiation.
Hope it helps a little bit .
All the best in Nigeria
Wolf

www.spearcollector.com

[Luc LEFEBVRE]

Scan from the book : THE PERFECT FORM

[Martin Lubojacky]

Many thanks for interesting references and good identification.
Best regards,
Martin