African clubs...again !

Freddy · 7th March 2005, 08:27 PM

Two weeks ago, I got a visit from a friend. He gave me this present : an African club.

Some time ago, there was a thread concerning African clubs, but I think this one is peculiar.

The only information I have is that it comes from Cameroon.

It measures about 62 cm (24,8 inches). The handle is wood covered with leather. As you can see at the bottom part , it's an ordinary branch of a tree. The remains of a secondary branch prevent the weapon to slip out of your hand when using it. The head of this club is the most interesting part. It's made from a heavy iron ring, with a sharp rim. It is fixed to the handle by means of 8 iron pieces of metal.
It's a real heavy and probably deadly weapon.

The leather covered handle has a nice touch to it. At a certain point, a small piece of snake or lizard skin has been added.

Anyone seen one before ?

Every bit of information is welcome.

Conogre · 8th March 2005, 05:34 PM

Outstanding piece Freddy!!!!
Also completely unlike anything that I've ever seen, particularly out of Africa, to the point that the only thing that gives it an African "flavor" is the reptile belly skin in the center.
The ONLY place I've seen a head mounted in even a remotely similar fashion is Japan, as in the head attachment of this tobikuchi.
Mike

Tim Simmons · 8th March 2005, 05:42 PM

You have nice friends.

Freddy · 8th March 2005, 06:06 PM

Hey, Mike. What's a 'tobikuchi' ? I've been into Martial Arts since I was 16 (a long, long, long...time ago

), but I've never heard of a weapon like this one.

What was it used for ?

And yes, I have a good friend in Amsterdam who recently 'plundered' a small etnographic shop which was closing down after the death of its owner. I also got some nice axes from the same region.

Conogre · 8th March 2005, 06:22 PM

axes?
You ARE going to share photos and descriptions with your "other" friends aren't you? **hint, hint**
Freddy, this one had me stumped for a long time too....I actually had it pegged as a mace of some sort until I posted a photo here around 4 years ago and found out that in reality it's an antique fireman's tool used somewhat like our fire axes.
I'm assuming it's because the trditional wood and paper construction of village houses that a piece like this would be preferred over a normal axe.
Another piece of information that surprised me is that it's believed turn of the century Japanese firefighters waged "territory wars", much like as is shown in the movie "Gangs of New York", in which case these were probably utilized EXACTLY like maces in confrontations with other fire departments.
Getting back to your original piece, does the fashion of mounting the head appear as similar to you as it does to me?
I truthfully can't think of ANY other weapons or tools whose heads are affixed in a manner even remotely similar .
I wish I could be of more help, but I'm completely stumped.
Mike

7th March 2005, 08:27 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	African clubs...again ! Two weeks ago, I got a visit from a friend. He gave me this present : an African club. Some time ago, there was a thread concerning African clubs, but I think this one is peculiar. The only information I have is that it comes from Cameroon. It measures about 62 cm (24,8 inches). The handle is wood covered with leather. As you can see at the bottom part , it's an ordinary branch of a tree. The remains of a secondary branch prevent the weapon to slip out of your hand when using it. The head of this club is the most interesting part. It's made from a heavy iron ring, with a sharp rim. It is fixed to the handle by means of 8 iron pieces of metal. It's a real heavy and probably deadly weapon. The leather covered handle has a nice touch to it. At a certain point, a small piece of snake or lizard skin has been added. Anyone seen one before ? Every bit of information is welcome.

8th March 2005, 05:34 PM	#2
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	Outstanding piece Freddy!!!! Also completely unlike anything that I've ever seen, particularly out of Africa, to the point that the only thing that gives it an African "flavor" is the reptile belly skin in the center. The ONLY place I've seen a head mounted in even a remotely similar fashion is Japan, as in the head attachment of this tobikuchi. Mike Attached Images

8th March 2005, 06:06 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	tobikuchi ? Hey, Mike. What's a 'tobikuchi' ? I've been into Martial Arts since I was 16 (a long, long, long...time ago ), but I've never heard of a weapon like this one. What was it used for ? And yes, I have a good friend in Amsterdam who recently 'plundered' a small etnographic shop which was closing down after the death of its owner. I also got some nice axes from the same region.

8th March 2005, 05:42 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	You have nice friends.

8th March 2005, 06:22 PM	#5
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	axes? You ARE going to share photos and descriptions with your "other" friends aren't you? hint, hint Freddy, this one had me stumped for a long time too....I actually had it pegged as a mace of some sort until I posted a photo here around 4 years ago and found out that in reality it's an antique fireman's tool used somewhat like our fire axes. I'm assuming it's because the trditional wood and paper construction of village houses that a piece like this would be preferred over a normal axe. Another piece of information that surprised me is that it's believed turn of the century Japanese firefighters waged "territory wars", much like as is shown in the movie "Gangs of New York", in which case these were probably utilized EXACTLY like maces in confrontations with other fire departments. Getting back to your original piece, does the fashion of mounting the head appear as similar to you as it does to me? I truthfully can't think of ANY other weapons or tools whose heads are affixed in a manner even remotely similar . I wish I could be of more help, but I'm completely stumped. Mike