Ceremonial Iron from Cameroon - real or fantasy ?

Martin Lubojacky · 8th January 2010, 06:28 PM

At first - family photo of previous sickles (from Rhumsiki /?/; the biggist one is 47 cm long).

Then - there is "punk" ceremonial iron obtained in Maroua - also North Cameroon. Again -I have never seen such before....
Martin

Tim Simmons · 8th January 2010, 06:33 PM

Really nice. My first thought was how similar to more standard Kirdi currency axes, so I found this site with one nowhere near as nice as yours!

http://www.amyas.net/thumbs.php?catid=5&height=0

I like the zigzag patterns and the placing of the brass dot is just right. I want one

.

Lew · 8th January 2010, 07:15 PM

Sweet I just love these types of things.

Wodimi · 8th January 2010, 10:15 PM

Hi Martin,
the three upper sickles I think are dancing sickles from the Dadiya (9°36'/11°30'), called "jen'nyi". Christophe Evers wrote in his book "Art of the Upper Benue River" that these ceremonial weapons used by young men in their coming of age festival "kal".
This other rituell throwing knife called "cicawa" comes from a small group called Ga'anda (9°30'/12°35'), like the Dadiya, a Chadic or Adamawa speaking ethnic group living in Nigeria at the upper Benue river.
This "cicawa" are never used as weapon, but are carried by the guardians of the initiants at the end of the boys initiation.
Hope it helps a little bit .
All the best in Nigeria
Wolf

www.spearcollector.com

Luc LEFEBVRE · 8th January 2010, 11:29 PM

Scan from the book : THE PERFECT FORM

Martin Lubojacky · 10th January 2010, 11:03 AM

Many thanks for interesting references and good identification.
Best regards,
Martin

8th January 2010, 06:28 PM	#1
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 845	Ceremonial Iron from Cameroon - real or fantasy ? At first - family photo of previous sickles (from Rhumsiki /?/; the biggist one is 47 cm long). Then - there is "punk" ceremonial iron obtained in Maroua - also North Cameroon. Again -I have never seen such before.... Martin Attached Images

8th January 2010, 11:29 PM	#5
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Scan from the book : THE PERFECT FORM Attached Images

8th January 2010, 06:33 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Really nice. My first thought was how similar to more standard Kirdi currency axes, so I found this site with one nowhere near as nice as yours! http://www.amyas.net/thumbs.php?catid=5&height=0 I like the zigzag patterns and the placing of the brass dot is just right. I want one .

8th January 2010, 07:15 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Sweet I just love these types of things.

8th January 2010, 10:15 PM	#4
Wodimi Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 75	Hi Martin, the three upper sickles I think are dancing sickles from the Dadiya (9°36'/11°30'), called "jen'nyi". Christophe Evers wrote in his book "Art of the Upper Benue River" that these ceremonial weapons used by young men in their coming of age festival "kal". This other rituell throwing knife called "cicawa" comes from a small group called Ga'anda (9°30'/12°35'), like the Dadiya, a Chadic or Adamawa speaking ethnic group living in Nigeria at the upper Benue river. This "cicawa" are never used as weapon, but are carried by the guardians of the initiants at the end of the boys initiation. Hope it helps a little bit . All the best in Nigeria Wolf www.spearcollector.com

10th January 2010, 11:03 AM	#6
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 845	Many thanks for interesting references and good identification. Best regards, Martin