Help with ID of spear, African?

[colin henshaw]

Hi Chris

I'll have a go, "Sherlock Holmes" style....

(a) Socketed head = north of the Zambezi.
(b) Simple geometric decoration to the metal = usually Islamic influence.
(c) Head with hole and pinned to shaft = Congo or West Africa, not Sudan or
eastwards.
(d) Heart shaped blade = West Africa sahel area.
(e) Barbs to metal shank = West Africa, Sudan, Somalia etc..

My best conclusion is therefore - Manding, Taureg, Hausa, Fulani or nearby.

Regards.

[christek]

Hi Colin,

Thank you for your reply on what is certainly proving a difficult task I too was of the impression the simple geometric decorations were possibly of Islamic origin. In any case I appreciate your considerable knowledge on these weapons and will certainly make reference to these suggestions during my research. Are you aware of any particular timeframe in history that this spear design or type was popular? Thank you.

Kind regards,

Chris

[colin henshaw]

Hi Chris

Thank you for your kind remarks.

Regarding the date of the spear - this is very difficult to judge unless you have a particular provenance. However probably no later than say, 1950... could be much earlier, even 19th century. Tribal societies tended to be very static and conservative without an outside stimulus.

If you like African spears, the book by Christopher Spring "African Arms & Armour" has a good essay on them, as I recall.

Regards
Colin

Originally Posted by christek

Hi Colin,

Thank you for your reply on what is certainly proving a difficult task I too was of the impression the simple geometric decorations were possibly of Islamic origin. In any case I appreciate your considerable knowledge on these weapons and will certainly make reference to these suggestions during my research. Are you aware of any particular timeframe in history that this spear design or type was popular? Thank you.

Kind regards,

Chris