Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Freddy · 20th July 2009, 11:42 AM

Amongst the lot I found in a stable were also some African arrows. Five are Pygmee, probably from the Ituri forest in Congo.

I have had Pygmee arrows before and I am always amazed at the craftmanship these little items show. The barbed arrowheads are well forged. Also some of the shafts show great detail. Some have iron binding, others are carved. I wonder why this is ? Are these markings made by the owner to show that it's his arrow ?

All these arrows are small and lightweight. They wouldn't do much harm. I guess they are poisoned when in use. The barbs help the arrow to stick into the skin of a pray.

Here are some pics. The longest arrow measures 53 cm. The smallest arrowhead (without the barbs) only measures 2 cm.

20th July 2009, 11:42 AM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Pygmee arrows Amongst the lot I found in a stable were also some African arrows. Five are Pygmee, probably from the Ituri forest in Congo. I have had Pygmee arrows before and I am always amazed at the craftmanship these little items show. The barbed arrowheads are well forged. Also some of the shafts show great detail. Some have iron binding, others are carved. I wonder why this is ? Are these markings made by the owner to show that it's his arrow ? All these arrows are small and lightweight. They wouldn't do much harm. I guess they are poisoned when in use. The barbs help the arrow to stick into the skin of a pray. Here are some pics. The longest arrow measures 53 cm. The smallest arrowhead (without the barbs) only measures 2 cm.