Weapons of warriors from Omo river

[KraVseR]

OK, I'm waiting

[Tim Simmons]

This link is worth exploring. You can click on the map or people names. All these regions border Ethiopia; Blue Nile, Upper Nile, Jonglei, and Eastern Equatoria in the disputed Ilemi Triangle. Traditional material culture and weaponry will be similar in this region. You have to remember that the borders between the tribal peoples in the Ilemi Triangle are modern colonial lines on the map.

http://southernsudan.prm.ox.ac.uk/sudan_map.php

[KraVseR]

Thanks, great link!

[Tim Simmons]

Before I go on I will mention that there is a Czech member who is very well informed about this region.

Here is my small collection of items from the region. You will no doubt find examples attributed to this or that tribe. However the same forms would be found among Nilotes inhabiting what is today South Western Ethiopia.

[Tim Simmons]

I am adding this item as a reply. I no longer collect knives or swords unless they are truly unusual or rare, or obviously to good a bargain to miss. This piece is quite possibly Nilotic certainly East African. I form the opinion of Nilotic by the small detail at the distal of the blade. A small matter but I think it points to similar marks found on Nilotic throwing knives. Many colonial powers meddled in Ethiopia from the latter part of the 19th century. The inspiration for this weapon could have been from any of those powers forces. I also have a few spears very much like those in this picture from "African Arms And Armour, Christopher Spring British Museum Press" They awkward to move hence the picture.

[KraVseR]

Thanks you. But what about the names of this weapons? Simply shield, club, axe? Or is there a special term?

[KraVseR]

And one more question: they used the bow? And what firearms they use in XIX - early XX century?
Today this warriors use AK-47, Mossin rifle, SKS and MG-3.

[KraVseR]

Viewing photos and a couple of issues of "Tribe" with Bruce Perry, I came to the conclusion:
Spear of the Omo Valley had a long and wide blade, like many other African spears. However, their staff is very thin .. Spear used for close combat and for throwing. The average length varied from 1.5 to 2 meters. Sometimes on the opposite side of the blade was Drift pin.
Right?

[KraVseR]

What is it? Also spear?

[Aleksey]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I am adding this item as a reply. I no longer collect knives or swords unless they are truly unusual or rare, or obviously to good a bargain to miss. This piece is quite possibly Nilotic certainly East African. I form the opinion of Nilotic by the small detail at the distal of the blade. A small matter but I think it points to similar marks found on Nilotic throwing knives. Many colonial powers meddled in Ethiopia from the latter part of the 19th century. The inspiration for this weapon could have been from any of those powers forces.

For me it seems as usage of old Chinese blade of zhibeidao-like sword and Chinese curved hilt (even the pommel and ferrule seem to be of fanshi style). The marking could be added later, in the process of existence of the weapon among Nilotic tribesmen.

Could they use old Chinese blades?

According to my experience in China you may find old European-made machetes like the one on the picture of warrior on the first posting here. Why do not assume the vise versa situation?

[Tim Simmons]

Interesting idea, but was China a blade exporter at the late 19th early 20th century? That is a period of economic weakness?

[Kubur]

Hello,

Finger Knife ("Ngigolio") from the Turkana or Pokot people of Kenya | ca. 1986 | Metal and copper wire

Thumb ring knife from the Turkana people | Aluminium and copper | Late 19th to early 20th century

Wrist Knife with Cover ("Abarait") from the Turkana people of Kenya | ca. 1986 | Metal and leather.

and this link:
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/356769601700881963/

I hope it can help.
Kubur

[Aleksey]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Interesting idea, but was China a blade exporter at the late 19th early 20th century? That is a period of economic weakness?

Of course, you are right. But still - the same blade and hilt shape you can find e.g. in the book of Alex Huangfu "The Iron and Steel swords of China" (in Chinese), 2007, pp. 71, 73, 87, 157, 175, 180, 197 at least at first glance.

It means either the occasional appearance of the Chinese blade in the Eastern Africa after the WWII or imitation of the Chinese blade etc.

If we are able to find the machete made for Africa in China in antiquity shop - why can not we find the Chinese blade in Africa?

I am attaching the picture of the shop in Linyi, PRC - the machetes are in the pile of other Chinese sabers and spearheads (in the back pf the pile - 2 blades).