African spear for ID

[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.