Turkana foot knives?

[colin henshaw]

From the book "Ata Epe - Bogen und Pfeile Afrikas" by Hendrik Wiethase 2007. Not a "Turkana foot knife"...

[Iain]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

From the book "Ata Epe - Bogen und Pfeile Afrikas" by Hendrik Wiethase 2007. Not a "Turkana foot knife"...

I was just about to ask if this particular book had anything on these! This is more or less the bible for African archery. Thanks for posting the image Colin.

[Andrew]

So, what is it?

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Andrew

So, what is it?

German text in the shown book page is "Spanneisen", translating to english: "clamp"

[Andrew]

Thanks, Sajen. Does the rest of the German text describe how it is utilized?

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Thanks, Sajen. Does the rest of the German text describe how it is utilized?

I think so, but have problems to read it complete, that's the reason that I ask Colin for a close up of the text.

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

From the book "Ata Epe - Bogen und Pfeile Afrikas" by Hendrik Wiethase 2007. Not a "Turkana foot knife"...

Hello Colin,

can you try to take a picture from the text? I will translate it.

Regards,
Detlef

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Colin,

can you try to take a picture from the text? I will translate it.

Regards,
Detlef

Hi Detlef

Here are close-ups of the text.

Regards

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Hi Detlef

Here are close-ups of the text.

Regards

Hi Colin,

thank's!

Here at first the translation of the left page:
By this Haussa shooter it's good to recognize the thumb-ring. The bowstring position let allude to a simple ring without appendix.

Right page:
This clamps has been ornate worked utensils of the shooters and it need some practice to effect a selective shot with it. The more simple examples as well as the wooden ones has been common at the coast, the more complex worked ones are to be found along the inner of the mainland.
D= Clamp of the Vere and Mumuye, Nigeria, 55 cm, still to recognize the position where has been attached a tail end.
E,F= Tiff and Kanga clamps ("Banda"), approx. 16 cm long.


Sorry, no further explanation how they has been utilized but when you know that 16 cm are 6,3 inch and you look to the picture I think it become clear how the were utilized, the ring is for the thumb and I think that the arrow rest on the "edge" while the bowstring was strain at the end of the curl of the clamp. At least is this my understanding of this tool/clamp. Maybe Colin can see it more clear on the picture.

Very nice catch btw.

Regards,
Detlef

[VANDOO]

PERHAPS USED SOMETHING LIKE THIS.