African Arrow

[Nonoy Tan]

I recently acquired this strange arrow in Rwanda. The arrowhead is made of light wood (or some type of seed) and bulbous in shape. Total lenght = 78 cm. Anyone has ideas of its tribal origin?

[katana]

Hi Nonoy,
cannot tell you origins, but I am almost certain this type of arrow was used for shooting birds (or other small game) usually in trees. A sort of 'stun arrow'. The advantages are that the small animal is not 'ripped' apart by a sharp arrow head and 'falling' arrows, that had missed their target were more likely to drop 'staight' down. Decreasing the chances of arrows lost in the tree and safer for others whom are nearby.

Regards David