Long fighting stick for comment/ID

Iain · 17th January 2012, 02:12 PM

I would wonder if it's actually for stick fighting? I agree it looks African but most of the stick fighting (at least in modern videos of events like the Suri of Ethiopia still practice) the sticks in use seem to be plain and not decorated. Of course this could just be the nice sticks aren't used in these events! However as Barry pointed out I think it is too short for the styles of African stick fighting I am familiar with, most of which require a whipping action, not a clubbing action. This looks fairly inflexible.

I think the pictures of the Hadendoa give a possible insight though, as I think I have rarely seen a cattle herder in an African context not leaning on a stick/staff of some sort. It seems just about the right size for that?

Unfortunately I don't recognize the decorative patterns.

But they don't strike me as being from in the Sahel regions so I think Tim is probably closer with the Zambia idea.

Cheers,

Iain

Atlantia · 17th January 2012, 06:08 PM

Hi Iain,

When it comes ot this stuff I'm truly a stranger in a strange land.
This club of Tim's looks like similar work?
Best
Gene

Iain · 17th January 2012, 06:15 PM

Hi Gene,

I'm also more than a little lost with the clubs and sticks. Certainly looks related to Tim's example.

By the way, before I didn't mean to imply that it couldn't be a weapon or capable of giving a good whack, just not a "fighting stick" in the ritual stick fighting context.

I quite like it in any case. Great patina and obviously something someone put a lot of care and effort into making.

Best,

Iain

Atlantia · 17th January 2012, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain

Hi Gene,

I'm also more than a little lost with the clubs and sticks. Certainly looks related to Tim's example.

By the way, before I didn't mean to imply that it couldn't be a weapon or capable of giving a good whack, just not a "fighting stick" in the ritual stick fighting context.

I quite like it in any case. Great patina and obviously something someone put a lot of care and effort into making.

Best,

Iain

Hi Iain,

No worries mate, I appreciate the help. Glad you like it

Best
Gene

17th January 2012, 06:08 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Iain, When it comes ot this stuff I'm truly a stranger in a strange land. This club of Tim's looks like similar work? Best Gene Attached Images

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17th January 2012, 02:12 PM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	I would wonder if it's actually for stick fighting? I agree it looks African but most of the stick fighting (at least in modern videos of events like the Suri of Ethiopia still practice) the sticks in use seem to be plain and not decorated. Of course this could just be the nice sticks aren't used in these events! However as Barry pointed out I think it is too short for the styles of African stick fighting I am familiar with, most of which require a whipping action, not a clubbing action. This looks fairly inflexible. I think the pictures of the Hadendoa give a possible insight though, as I think I have rarely seen a cattle herder in an African context not leaning on a stick/staff of some sort. It seems just about the right size for that? Unfortunately I don't recognize the decorative patterns. But they don't strike me as being from in the Sahel regions so I think Tim is probably closer with the Zambia idea. Cheers, Iain

17th January 2012, 06:15 PM	#3
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	Hi Gene, I'm also more than a little lost with the clubs and sticks. Certainly looks related to Tim's example. By the way, before I didn't mean to imply that it couldn't be a weapon or capable of giving a good whack, just not a "fighting stick" in the ritual stick fighting context. I quite like it in any case. Great patina and obviously something someone put a lot of care and effort into making. Best, Iain