African spear for ID

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by Iain

Thanks Barry for the comments. I've had Dinka as a suggestion for similarities as well.

Returning to the Congo idea... Where some groups in much trade contact with outside groups (beyond the European activities in the western part of the region)? Or where they fairly isolated societies?

Regarding trade contact in the Congo area (apart from European colonial activity) - I'm a bit hazy, but certainly there was some Arab/Swahili penetration from the East in the mid-late 19th century. I think traditional weapons were made in the Congo up to the 1950s at least ? - I have seen a Congo sword with a date engraved from that time. But our Belgian forumites should be able to advise much better on this.

Regards.

[Iain]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Regarding trade contact in the Congo area (apart from European colonial activity) - I'm a bit hazy, but certainly there was some Arab/Swahili penetration from the East in the mid-late 19th century. I think traditional weapons were made in the Congo up to the 1950s at least ? - I have seen a Congo sword with a date engraved from that time. But our Belgian forumites should be able to advise much better on this.

Regards.

Hi Colin, that's more or less my understanding as well. But I have to admit I know very little in this area and the Congo is still somewhat of a giant monolithic spot on the map in my mind - but I'm hoping that changes and others will chime in.

I thought there were quite a few Congo collectors on the forum, hopefully they'll see this thread at some point.