Very unusual SPEAR / LANCE

Iain · 19th January 2012, 02:24 PM

Fascinating spear! Although the blade profile is different, aspects of the collar remind me of Dogon work.

http://www.arcticphoto.co.uk/superga...mal0191-05.htm

Sadly, I would be fairly sure this is cut down. But still, a great spear head. Hopefully someone can provide an exact ID.

Gavin Nugent · 19th January 2012, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain

Fascinating spear! Although the blade profile is different, aspects of the collar remind me of Dogon work.

http://www.arcticphoto.co.uk/superga...mal0191-05.htm

Sadly, I would be fairly sure this is cut down. But still, a great spear head. Hopefully someone can provide an exact ID.

Rich, a really good spear head you have there and A very nice reference point Iain.
Although different again here is another spear of mine, it too uses brass washers either side of the pins.
There is also a very fine lizard skin remaining under the socket, very unusual I thought.
I thought mine was Somali though but I have not yet put much time in to the African spears here.

thinreadline · 19th January 2012, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebooter

Rich, a really good spear head you have there and A very nice reference point Iain.
Although different again here is another spear of mine, it too uses brass washers either side of the pins.
There is also a very fine lizard skin remaining under the socket, very unusual I thought.
I thought mine was Somali though but I have not yet put much time in to the African spears here.

Very nice spear indeed ... good to see it . How I wish someone would do a definitive book on African spears !
Richmond

Jim McDougall · 19th January 2012, 03:24 PM

Fantastic example Richmond! and Iain and Gav, I think you guys are pretty much spot on regionally. While I honestly am far from up to speed on spears, things like this are so intriguing I want to learn more.
What i do recall is that spears from the Congo have similar head profile, and of course it seems the leaf like profile resembles some Sudanese types also.
It seems that there were configurations of dot like piercings on the Congo example, but I think four, much in the same location on the blade.

The use of brass or gold metal filled dots on blades seems an Arab originated application which has talismanic or apotropaic purpose, or perhaps both.
In Yucel's book on early Islamic swords, many of the blades have varying numbers of gold or brass dots in the blade, said to bring good fortune to the warrior using the weapon. The tradition seems to have of course carried into even modern weapons such as the janbiyya, which often has these kind of filled dots near the hilt on the blade.

Many Tuareg blades are noted by Briggs to have such brass filled dots, often singular, near the blade tip, but although the application remains unclear, it seems reasonable to presume associations to these traditions. Many of the blades described in Yucel are attributed to Mamluk use, and as we are finding, the Mamluk influences throughout the Sudan and into the Sahara as far as West African regions are compellingly present.

I look forward to more comparitive examples and perspective and finding out more on the shortened shaft as well. While of course this seems to have been reduced in length to a stabbing length weapon, and recalling the assagai of Zulu tribes, it is known that stabbing spears were prevalent in the Sudan as well.

All the best,
Jim

thinreadline · 19th January 2012, 03:50 PM

Once again a great summary and review Jim . This item certainly does seem to have influences from all over the northern half of Africa . I am just hoping other members out there may have further references and more examples of this oddity.
Regards
Richmond

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Fantastic example Richmond! and Iain and Gav, I think you guys are pretty much spot on regionally. While I honestly am far from up to speed on spears, things like this are so intriguing I want to learn more.
What i do recall is that spears from the Congo have similar head profile, and of course it seems the leaf like profile resembles some Sudanese types also.
It seems that there were configurations of dot like piercings on the Congo example, but I think four, much in the same location on the blade.

The use of brass or gold metal filled dots on blades seems an Arab originated application which has talismanic or apotropaic purpose, or perhaps both.
In Yucel's book on early Islamic swords, many of the blades have varying numbers of gold or brass dots in the blade, said to bring good fortune to the warrior using the weapon. The tradition seems to have of course carried into even modern weapons such as the janbiyya, which often has these kind of filled dots near the hilt on the blade.

Many Tuareg blades are noted by Briggs to have such brass filled dots, often singular, near the blade tip, but although the application remains unclear, it seems reasonable to presume associations to these traditions. Many of the blades described in Yucel are attributed to Mamluk use, and as we are finding, the Mamluk influences throughout the Sudan and into the Sahara as far as West African regions are compellingly present.

I look forward to more comparitive examples and perspective and finding out more on the shortened shaft as well. While of course this seems to have been reduced in length to a stabbing length weapon, and recalling the assagai of Zulu tribes, it is known that stabbing spears were prevalent in the Sudan as well.

All the best,
Jim

CharlesS · 19th January 2012, 07:41 PM

My guess is Zanzibar or Madagascar.

thinreadline · 19th January 2012, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

My guess is Zanzibar or Madagascar.

Thats a pretty interesting suggestion .. do you have refs or pics that point you in that direction ?
Richmond

Lew · 19th January 2012, 08:42 PM

Well Gav's spear looks Dan to me?

Jim McDougall · 20th January 2012, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

My guess is Zanzibar or Madagascar.

Im curious too Charles. I dont know much on Madagascar, but Zanzibar seems remarkably 'reflective' as far as weapon and material culture styles with its place as a key trade entrepot between Arab trade, Red Sea trade and the caravans from inland.

Gavin Nugent · 20th January 2012, 01:57 AM

Charles, Jim, very interesting thoughts. Keeping the regional aspects in mind and the strong influences within the island and trade, Rich's spear head does to some degree remind me of an "Alam". Although not as decorative and piecred as most are, the 4 dot inlay does account for some thing special.

19th January 2012, 08:42 PM	#8
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Well Gav's spear looks Dan to me? Attached Images Last edited by Lew; 19th January 2012 at 08:53 PM.

19th January 2012, 02:24 PM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	Fascinating spear! Although the blade profile is different, aspects of the collar remind me of Dogon work. http://www.arcticphoto.co.uk/superga...mal0191-05.htm Sadly, I would be fairly sure this is cut down. But still, a great spear head. Hopefully someone can provide an exact ID.

19th January 2012, 03:24 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,745	Fantastic example Richmond! and Iain and Gav, I think you guys are pretty much spot on regionally. While I honestly am far from up to speed on spears, things like this are so intriguing I want to learn more. What i do recall is that spears from the Congo have similar head profile, and of course it seems the leaf like profile resembles some Sudanese types also. It seems that there were configurations of dot like piercings on the Congo example, but I think four, much in the same location on the blade. The use of brass or gold metal filled dots on blades seems an Arab originated application which has talismanic or apotropaic purpose, or perhaps both. In Yucel's book on early Islamic swords, many of the blades have varying numbers of gold or brass dots in the blade, said to bring good fortune to the warrior using the weapon. The tradition seems to have of course carried into even modern weapons such as the janbiyya, which often has these kind of filled dots near the hilt on the blade. Many Tuareg blades are noted by Briggs to have such brass filled dots, often singular, near the blade tip, but although the application remains unclear, it seems reasonable to presume associations to these traditions. Many of the blades described in Yucel are attributed to Mamluk use, and as we are finding, the Mamluk influences throughout the Sudan and into the Sahara as far as West African regions are compellingly present. I look forward to more comparitive examples and perspective and finding out more on the shortened shaft as well. While of course this seems to have been reduced in length to a stabbing length weapon, and recalling the assagai of Zulu tribes, it is known that stabbing spears were prevalent in the Sudan as well. All the best, Jim

19th January 2012, 07:41 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	My guess is Zanzibar or Madagascar.

20th January 2012, 01:57 AM	#10
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Charles, Jim, very interesting thoughts. Keeping the regional aspects in mind and the strong influences within the island and trade, Rich's spear head does to some degree remind me of an "Alam". Although not as decorative and piecred as most are, the 4 dot inlay does account for some thing special.