PDA

View Full Version : Instant Ethiopian SpearCollection


drac2k
27th July 2025, 08:52 PM
I recently went to a garage sale and purchased these spears.They were supposedly collected in Ethiopia, mid 20th century and I guess that is probably how old they are.I was surprised that the Ethiopians had bident spears , especially the barbed ones.The spear that I have the most interest in is the one with writing on the crossguard;I'm guessing that it was a religious processional item.
Can anyone confirm this and read the inscription?

werecow
27th July 2025, 09:00 PM
Reading it is above my paygrade but at least some of the characters do resemble those in the Ge'ez alphabet.

Bob A
27th July 2025, 11:10 PM
I assume the barbed spears are for fishing. Apparently it's enough of a thing to have multiple websites for piscatory travelers. Who knew?

https://fishingethiopia.com/

wildwolberine
28th July 2025, 04:32 AM
Great catch! 🎣

drac2k
28th July 2025, 05:00 AM
Thanks to all for your comments.

werecow
28th July 2025, 09:03 PM
Just to add, the alphabet pictured above does not include characters that represent syllables. You can find a much more complete version here (https://www.omniglot.com/writing/ethiopic.htm).

EDIT: Attached image in case the website goes dead.

ausjulius
28th July 2025, 10:29 PM
Nece. Yeah those are from Ethiopia. I've got a few heads of this type from an eBay seller from there back in the golden days of ebay

drac2k
29th July 2025, 01:04 PM
Thanks for the website werecow; I'll get back to you when I translate the writing on my spear........in about a 100 years, LOL. I think I'll have better luck trying to find an Ethiopian to read the inscription.
I remember the good old days of Ebay myself; my nemesis was Mr.Tincan.We chased each other all over the website for the same items; we cost each other a small fortune.

Martin Lubojacky
31st July 2025, 06:08 PM
Hello,
The object on the left is a monk's staff (stick).

drac2k
1st August 2025, 03:34 AM
Thanks! What was the purpose of the staff?Was it processional or used in a religious context?