Spearhead.... North African ?

[katana]

I have just bought this spearhead, 12" length, the style seems to be North African, I know I have seen this style used on examples of arrow head. It is quite ornate, in that there are diagonal, crosshatching and crosses delicately stamped on the shaft. Surely too ornate for a hunting spear, but too lethal for a ceremonial one? I certainly wouldn't want this thrown at me, those barbs !??! :eek: . Please has anyone any suggestions as to its origins.

[Tim Simmons]

Hello katana,

It certainly is North African. I think Nuer from southern Sudan. Here is a good link to the Pitt Rivers museum collection. http://southernsudan.prm.ox.ac.uk/quick_search.php?keyword=Spear&offset=0

Tim

[katana]

Thanks Tim, what an interesting site :D , looking at the spears, the closest match I can see, seems to be the Dinka Tuich spear acquired in '79. You suggested the Nuer, I must be missing something (nothing new there).
Although there are no barbs on the Dinka Tuich spear it is quite similar

[Tim Simmons]

For all I know "Nuer" may well be part of the Dinka people. The thing is that we are able to indentify the region and people, maybe not the exact sub-group. Tim

[katana]

Yes you're right, I am new to African weaponry, and I am becoming more aware of the difficulties in tying weapons with particular tribes/groups. Your help and understanding is greatly appreciated.
In your opinion, is this spearhead an uncommon find or are they generally easily acquired. There appears to be some age evident, as it has a nice patina, but how old... I have no idea.
thanks again

[Tim Simmons]

I would be lying if I said they were rare, good examples of the any kind of spear, often considered part of a mans dress not just a weapon are always uncommon. Tim

[Luc LEFEBVRE]

In "Waffen aus Zentral-Africa" one is described has maybe Mangbetu.
Luc

[Tim Simmons]

Yes looks that way; I believe the Mangbetu also inhabit areas of the sothern Sudan.

[katana]

Thankyou Luc,
certainly looks like a good match, and the book you referred to seems very informative, the illustrations are excellent.It seems that a great deal of literature regarding African weapons are in German, French and Dutch ( I appreciate the historical reasons for this.) Looks like I will have to try and gradually locate some, and use the 'Babel Fish' translation site to read them. :D

[Luc LEFEBVRE]

Thankyou Luc,
certainly looks like a good match, and the book you referred to seems very informative, the illustrations are excellent.It seems that a great deal of literature regarding African weapons are in German, French and Dutch ( I appreciate the historical reasons for this.) Looks like I will have to try and gradually locate some, and use the 'Babel Fish' translation site to read them. :D

Many books edited in Belgium are french/english/dutch (or german) , so no problem !
You can have a small list on my website at the bottom of this page:
http://lulef.free.fr/html/armes_africaines.html
;)
Luc

[katana]

Thanks Luc, I like your website, so it's now in my 'favorites' in my web browser. :D

[Wodimi]

Hello Katana,

I just find your spear tip question. What you have is definitely a spear tip from the Tubu living in the South East Sahara, mostly in Chad, but also in Niger and South Libya. For reference you can look in Peter Fuchs; Die Völker der Südost-Sahara; page 31. There are some similarities to Mangbetu spears, that's right, but they all have asymmetrical blades. Attached also a Tubu spear (the first from above) from my collection. This throwing spears are around 130 cm long and have at the end of the wooden shaft a small copper winding.

Wolf

[katana]

Thanks Wolf,
I appreciate your help,I must say those spears you posted in this thread look very nice :)

[Tim Simmons]

Wolf, how similar are your all metal spears to this one. These I believe are pan-sub Saharan, coming from a huge belt across SW Sudan/Chad to Mali, with regional differences. Tim

[Wodimi]

nice example Tim, my spear is a little bit different in the lower part. Mine, which comes from Algeria near Tam, have not this three fixing points. May be you're right and yours is more from Chad region. I have another spear with also similar fixing points which comes from North East Nigeria.

[Tim Simmons]

Hello wolf, what appears to be fixings are just decorrative brass plates added to the complete steel spear. That is a very nice blade on the other spear.

[katana]

Wolf, Tim,
love the spears, haven't got any examples myself, but I'm working on it.

[The Double D]

Hello Katana,

I just find your spear tip question. What you have is definitely a spear tip from the Tubu living in the South East Sahara, mostly in Chad, but also in Niger and South Libya. For reference you can look in Peter Fuchs; Die Völker der Südost-Sahara; page 31. There are some similarities to Mangbetu spears, that's right, but they all have asymmetrical blades. Attached also a Tubu spear (the first from above) from my collection. This throwing spears are around 130 cm long and have at the end of the wooden shaft a small copper winding.

Wolf

I'm not sure how you are identifing the top Spear. Are you calling it Tabu?

[katana]

DD

I am certain Wodimi is refering to the top spear

[The Double D]

So we now have this spear point idnetifiede as Zande-Manbetu-Tabu?

Are these people related or from the same geographic area?