African Spear For Comment

Freddy · 29th July 2005, 08:34 AM

You are quite right : a Ngbandi spear. There's nothing wrong with the length of your spear. I have a similar one which measures about 63 inches (157,5 cm).

Don't forget these were weapons for close combat, stabbing spears. The long blades of Ngbandi spears were used for thrusting through the shield of the opponent.

I see some nice carving on the handle.

The metal 'shovel-type' butt is not typical, but spear blades were traded all over Central Africa. It's possible that the owner preferred that type of butt end to the more conventional one. Nothing wrong with that either.

Later, I will post some pictures of butt ends on the forum.

Freddy · 29th July 2005, 12:33 PM

Nothing wrong with that butt, just another type.

Here are some pics of different spear butts from the Congo area

Typical spear butt found on Ngbandi spears, but also used by the following tribes : Bati, Benge, Poto, Ngombe and Gens d'Eau. Mostly made of iron and rather heavy. To counter balance the weight of the big spear blade. (Length : 8 cm)

Top to bottom :

Bell as found on spears coming from the Mongo-tribes (Length : 29 cm, width : 10 cm)

Long iron spike, Ngbandi spear. (Length : 55 cm)

Three smaller spears (top to bottom)

From the Nkundu, Lia or Konda-tribes, made from copper. (Length : 8 cm)

End of an light spear, tribe unknown (Length : 8,5 cm)

Butt end of a small spear from the Bana-pygmees, Aruwimi-area (Congo)(Length : 19,5 cm)

Two butt ends of thrusting spears (top to bottom)

Used by following tribes : Ngbaka, Ngombe, Doko. The butt end is wrapped with iron banding. (Length : 19 cm)

Atypical spear butt from an unknown tribe (Congo-area). Looks like a spear head, but is not sharpened. (Length : 19,5 cm)

I have to measurements to give you an idea, this doesn't mean the butt ends are always exactly this size. These can vary quite considerably.

29th July 2005, 12:33 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Butts Nothing wrong with that butt, just another type. Here are some pics of different spear butts from the Congo area Typical spear butt found on Ngbandi spears, but also used by the following tribes : Bati, Benge, Poto, Ngombe and Gens d'Eau. Mostly made of iron and rather heavy. To counter balance the weight of the big spear blade. (Length : 8 cm) Top to bottom : Bell as found on spears coming from the Mongo-tribes (Length : 29 cm, width : 10 cm) Long iron spike, Ngbandi spear. (Length : 55 cm) Three smaller spears (top to bottom) From the Nkundu, Lia or Konda-tribes, made from copper. (Length : 8 cm) End of an light spear, tribe unknown (Length : 8,5 cm) Butt end of a small spear from the Bana-pygmees, Aruwimi-area (Congo)(Length : 19,5 cm) Two butt ends of thrusting spears (top to bottom) Used by following tribes : Ngbaka, Ngombe, Doko. The butt end is wrapped with iron banding. (Length : 19 cm) Atypical spear butt from an unknown tribe (Congo-area). Looks like a spear head, but is not sharpened. (Length : 19,5 cm) I have to measurements to give you an idea, this doesn't mean the butt ends are always exactly this size. These can vary quite considerably.

29th July 2005, 08:34 AM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	You are quite right : a Ngbandi spear. There's nothing wrong with the length of your spear. I have a similar one which measures about 63 inches (157,5 cm). Don't forget these were weapons for close combat, stabbing spears. The long blades of Ngbandi spears were used for thrusting through the shield of the opponent. I see some nice carving on the handle. The metal 'shovel-type' butt is not typical, but spear blades were traded all over Central Africa. It's possible that the owner preferred that type of butt end to the more conventional one. Nothing wrong with that either. Later, I will post some pictures of butt ends on the forum.