African staff,area?

Freddy · 27th December 2004, 08:35 PM

This is a staff I found together with some African weapons. I don't think it's African, but I really don't know. I would be grateful if someone knows more. Could it be South American (Amazon region) ?

The total length is : 115 cm
The top has a width of 4 cm and at the bottom it measures only 2 cm.

This staff is carved all over. It's rather light and weighs only 400 gr.

Freddy · 27th December 2004, 08:40 PM

This one, I know more about. It's an African club from the Tshokwe tribe, living in Congo and Angola. A simple club with some carving at the top.
It came from a collection of weapons once owned by a missionary who lived in the Congo region in the beginning of the 20th century.

A simple, but effective weapon. Heavy enough to do some damage.

Total lenght : 58 cm

tom hyle · 27th December 2004, 10:00 PM

On this last one, note the resemblance to an axe handle.

Freddy · 28th December 2004, 03:41 PM

You're right, Tom. But it lacks the holes needed for fitting the blade.
The decoration goes all round the head of the club and there are no signs that it was meant to be an axe handle.

Tim Simmons · 28th December 2004, 03:54 PM

Hello Freddy, this one is a bit further to the east and the lakes,{Nyamwezi ?}

Freddy · 28th December 2004, 06:25 PM

I think your right, Tim. It's definitively East-African. But are you sure about Nyamwezi ? Could also be Gogo. This tribe has a vast array of clubs.

Here is one that also comes from the same region, but I don't know from which tribe (probably also Gogo).

This is probably some kind of ceremonial club, although it's heavy enough to deliver a painful blow.

A lot is written about African weapons, mostly about the iron work. A good book only dealing with wooden weaponry from Africa would be welcome.

Tim Simmons · 29th December 2004, 11:50 AM

Hi Freddy, this must also be Gogo.More to post latter.Tim

27th December 2004, 08:35 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	a mystery to me This is a staff I found together with some African weapons. I don't think it's African, but I really don't know. I would be grateful if someone knows more. Could it be South American (Amazon region) ? The total length is : 115 cm The top has a width of 4 cm and at the bottom it measures only 2 cm. This staff is carved all over. It's rather light and weighs only 400 gr.

27th December 2004, 08:40 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Another one This one, I know more about. It's an African club from the Tshokwe tribe, living in Congo and Angola. A simple club with some carving at the top. It came from a collection of weapons once owned by a missionary who lived in the Congo region in the beginning of the 20th century. A simple, but effective weapon. Heavy enough to do some damage. Total lenght : 58 cm

28th December 2004, 03:54 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Hello Freddy, this one is a bit further to the east and the lakes,{Nyamwezi ?} Attached Images

29th December 2004, 11:50 AM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Hi Freddy, this must also be Gogo.More to post latter.Tim Attached Images

27th December 2004, 10:00 PM	#3
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	On this last one, note the resemblance to an axe handle.

28th December 2004, 03:41 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	You're right, Tom. But it lacks the holes needed for fitting the blade. The decoration goes all round the head of the club and there are no signs that it was meant to be an axe handle.

28th December 2004, 06:25 PM	#6
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	I think your right, Tim. It's definitively East-African. But are you sure about Nyamwezi ? Could also be Gogo. This tribe has a vast array of clubs. Here is one that also comes from the same region, but I don't know from which tribe (probably also Gogo). This is probably some kind of ceremonial club, although it's heavy enough to deliver a painful blow. A lot is written about African weapons, mostly about the iron work. A good book only dealing with wooden weaponry from Africa would be welcome.