Very unusual SPEAR / LANCE

[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

[thinreadline]

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

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]

My guess is Zanzibar or Madagascar.

[thinreadline]

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]

Well Gav's spear looks Dan to me?

[Jim McDougall]

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]

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.

[Martin Lubojacky]

I think this spear is comming from Sahara. Old Tuareg spear ("lower casts" - e.g. like Imrhads - were forbidden to have all-iron allarhs). There is some descripiton I think in the book "Targi" by Vavra (unfortunately only in the Czech language and no pictures) from thirties. But this spear is older, I guess 19th century.

This shape of the spearhead evokes some simmilar shapes from what is curently Sudan, from Congo and even a little from Madagascar. Nevertheless I am nearly convinced this one is some Tuareg cast (I do not mean horizontal division to confederations, but let us say vertical to supperior and subaltern tribes...).

(As far as Zanzibar suggestion: Except of what introduced Omani Arabs there, like various types of "zanzibar handeled" sabres and swords and kataras and other arabic weapons, there is a very small collection of the weapons in the museum in Stone-town, especially I would say comming from eastern Congo, which, very probably vere brought to Zanzibar during Tippu Tipp´s slaver´s raids.)

Regards
Martin

[thinreadline]

Originally Posted by Martin Lubojacky

I think this spear is comming from Sahara. Old Tuareg spear ("lower casts" - e.g. like Imrhads - were forbidden to have all-iron allarhs). There is some descripiton I think in the book "Targi" by Vavra (unfortunately only in the Czech language and no pictures) from thirties. But this spear is older, I guess 19th century.

This shape of the spearhead evokes some simmilar shapes from what is curently Sudan, from Congo and even a little from Madagascar. Nevertheless I am nearly convinced this one is some Tuareg cast (I do not mean horizontal division to confederations, but let us say vertical to supperior and subaltern tribes...).

(As far as Zanzibar suggestion: Except of what introduced Omani Arabs there, like various types of "zanzibar handeled" sabres and swords and kataras and other arabic weapons, there is a very small collection of the weapons in the museum in Stone-town, especially I would say comming from eastern Congo, which, very probably vere brought to Zanzibar during Tippu Tipp´s slaver´s raids.)

Regards
Martin

Well thank you Martin, this one is proving to be quite interesting ...
Richmond