Knobkerrie unlike any other? or something else

[fireiceviper]

I acquired this when purchasing a couple of other items, all they knew is that it came from the grandfather who went to afrika a couple of times but to where and why the could not recall.

The shape looks typical of a knobkerrie, the carvings however i have never seen :shrug: , it really looks aged and i believe it is.

The patterns on the head have similarities with Tongan clubs but i think thats pure chance.

Anyone have a tribe or a region? or something similar?

[kronckew]

amazulu/xhosa iwisa (knobkerrie) have longer hafts and do not have a drilled hole for a lanyard. the shape of the head can vary, and even be carved. other more northern non-shona tribes used ball headed clubs like yours, but i'm not that familiar with the tribal distinction. also, many conquered tribes supplied knobkerry to the zula as tribute. in other words, it's a mess. heck, even south pacific islanders used clubs with ball heads, and carvings as you mention. i have an ethiopean faceted head club with similar tho simpler patterns.

[Tim Simmons]

It is Chokwe.

[fireiceviper]

Do you have any comparable images of Chokwe clubs? I cannot seem to find chokwe clubs like this... although They are sometimes similarly carved with brass buttons on them, but a completely different shape.

Thanks for your help Though!

[Tim Simmons]

On a well known auction site there is a round Chokwe club similar but with a projection. Shows the origin. I have kept a picture to post latter.

[kronckew]

chokwe is a town/district in so. mozambique, the people there are bantu as are the zulu who were just to the south.

it may also refer to a tribal group in angola.

which?

[David]

chokwe is a town/district in so. mozambique, the people there are bantu as are the zulu who were just to the south.

it may also refer to a tribal group in angola.

which?
I think that would be the tribal group from Angola Wayne.
Here is another one. The source here identifies it as a "prestige" club.

[VANDOO]

HERE ARE SOME CLUBS FOR COMPARISON ALL SAID TO BE CHOCKWE .
#1 & #2. 24 INCHES LONG
#3. #4 & #5. 21 INCHES LONG
#6 & #7. 55 CM. LONG ANGOLA ,CHOKWE

I THINK THOSE WITH THE NIPPLE TIP ARE MORE TRUE TO FORM BUT AS WITH EVERYTHING WIDE VARIATIONS OCCUR OVER DISTANCE AND TIME AS WELL AS BY TRIBE OR INDIVIDUAL PREFERENCE.

[fireiceviper]

A nice addition Vandoo thank you, i have noticed through some research that these clubs are not common at all! it is very hard to get a big sample size to compare with.