Strange African axe or club

[Freddy]

This is also a new one. The seller told me it was a 'Tamberma axe' from Togo. Don't know if this is true. I don't think it's very old, but I like it. It's strange ! :p

The wooden handle has been covered in leather. What attracted me to this piece was the 'business end'. It has an arrow shaped blade.

When I received it, I noticed that the top of the axe (or club) is one piece of iron. It's quite heavy.

Total length : 54 cm

Length of axe blade : 17 cm

[Iain]

An interesting piece Freddy, from the looks of it, it could well be a ritual or dance item?

[Luc LEFEBVRE]

Isn't this kind of thing used to drive a camel ?

[kronckew]

the barbs make it a bit impractical to use more than once. scary tho.

[colin henshaw]

I've occasionally seen this form of weapon with an iron hammer head, thought of being from the Northern Nigeria area. Presumably an arrow head type instead of a hammer head, is just a variant ?

Interesting, whatever...

[Queequeg]

Is it perhaps an ankus (http://peterdickinson.hubpages.com/hub/Ankus)?