Short Spear - like an Zulu Iklwa , but not.

Tim Simmons · 28th April 2010, 07:50 PM

I think I would agree with Lew. The idiot I am, I lost these two spears in a bad swap.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=sahel+spear

Battara · 28th April 2010, 08:29 PM

"The idiot I am, I lost these two spears in a bad swap."

Happens to all of us....

ashoka · 28th April 2010, 08:30 PM

It's probably a Mandinka/Manding spear, I,ve had several similar with the leatherwork typical of the swords, this one probably also had leatherwork along the shaft. So Niger/Chad/Nigeria type area. I,ll post a picture if it would be of interest.

Martin Lubojacky · 28th April 2010, 08:48 PM

I saw similar spearheads like David´s one in North Cameroon and also North Nigeria.Not exactly the same, but very similar. Acc to some local people they vere from Sokoto, acc to another ones from Adamawa. Never with shaft. I will do my best to post photos during the weekend, but the spearheads will not be cleaned.
Martin

Iain · 29th April 2010, 12:57 AM

I'm going to throw in a wild guess of Fuble jaral (stabbing spear), I'm afraid I don't have good documentation for the type (besides a mention in "Notes on the "Bororo Fulbe" or Nomad "Cattle Fulani". Part I, by E. A. Brackenbury © 1924 The Royal African Society."), but having seen the description of the type pop up occasionally, combined with the general Nigerian/Cameroon providence provided by other members I think it's a relatively good stab in the dark.

katana · 29th April 2010, 12:42 PM

Wow ! thought there was only one reply and then found many

(its been a little quiet on the Forum lately )....thank you very much for all your replies

,

I have had another look at the shaft, the last third (opposite to the 'head' end ) is slightly tapered .....again suggesting that this was originally designed to be 'short'. Had the shaft been longer and the taper continued down its length it would have been incredibly thin and 'weedy' at its 'butt' end.

Hi Ashoka,
I would like to see the pictures of the Mandinka/Manding versions of the spear, thank you.

Hi Martin,
look forward to the pictures, thanks.

Hi Tim,
I suspect nearly all of us have had regrets swopping/selling items ....I know I have

....and Battara has ... and.....

Thanks Lew for your prompt reply and ISPN for the 'background' reference

Kind Regards David

ashoka · 29th April 2010, 02:32 PM

Images of a related spear, less fullering but similar profile and decoration, length of the head on this one is 57 cms to the base of the socket. The shaft on this is pretty thin and light too.

katana · 29th April 2010, 03:02 PM

Thanks Ashoka

,
as you said very similar (very nice spear, by the way), Spearhead, on mine, is 47cms from point to base of socket. I cannot see evidence of any leather having been used to cover the shaft, but similar to yours.... it is both thin and light.
However, there are a number of 'shrinkage' cracks that have a dried 'substance' within them ......to me (using a jeweller's loupe) it looks like 'old' dried out hide glue or a similar 'organic' adhesive ....perhaps evidence that there was a covering afterall

Kind Regards David

29th April 2010, 02:32 PM	#7
ashoka Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 61	Images of a related spear, less fullering but similar profile and decoration, length of the head on this one is 57 cms to the base of the socket. The shaft on this is pretty thin and light too. Attached Images

28th April 2010, 07:50 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	I think I would agree with Lew. The idiot I am, I lost these two spears in a bad swap. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=sahel+spear

28th April 2010, 08:29 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	"The idiot I am, I lost these two spears in a bad swap." Happens to all of us....

28th April 2010, 08:30 PM	#3
ashoka Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 61	It's probably a Mandinka/Manding spear, I,ve had several similar with the leatherwork typical of the swords, this one probably also had leatherwork along the shaft. So Niger/Chad/Nigeria type area. I,ll post a picture if it would be of interest.

28th April 2010, 08:48 PM	#4
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	I saw similar spearheads like David´s one in North Cameroon and also North Nigeria.Not exactly the same, but very similar. Acc to some local people they vere from Sokoto, acc to another ones from Adamawa. Never with shaft. I will do my best to post photos during the weekend, but the spearheads will not be cleaned. Martin

29th April 2010, 12:57 AM	#5
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	I'm going to throw in a wild guess of Fuble jaral (stabbing spear), I'm afraid I don't have good documentation for the type (besides a mention in "Notes on the "Bororo Fulbe" or Nomad "Cattle Fulani". Part I, by E. A. Brackenbury © 1924 The Royal African Society."), but having seen the description of the type pop up occasionally, combined with the general Nigerian/Cameroon providence provided by other members I think it's a relatively good stab in the dark.

29th April 2010, 12:42 PM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Wow ! thought there was only one reply and then found many (its been a little quiet on the Forum lately )....thank you very much for all your replies , I have had another look at the shaft, the last third (opposite to the 'head' end ) is slightly tapered .....again suggesting that this was originally designed to be 'short'. Had the shaft been longer and the taper continued down its length it would have been incredibly thin and 'weedy' at its 'butt' end. Hi Ashoka, I would like to see the pictures of the Mandinka/Manding versions of the spear, thank you. Hi Martin, look forward to the pictures, thanks. Hi Tim, I suspect nearly all of us have had regrets swopping/selling items ....I know I have ....and Battara has ... and..... Thanks Lew for your prompt reply and ISPN for the 'background' reference Kind Regards David

29th April 2010, 03:02 PM	#8
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thanks Ashoka , as you said very similar (very nice spear, by the way), Spearhead, on mine, is 47cms from point to base of socket. I cannot see evidence of any leather having been used to cover the shaft, but similar to yours.... it is both thin and light. However, there are a number of 'shrinkage' cracks that have a dried 'substance' within them ......to me (using a jeweller's loupe) it looks like 'old' dried out hide glue or a similar 'organic' adhesive ....perhaps evidence that there was a covering afterall Kind Regards David