african spear

fernando · 10th December 2005, 01:12 PM

Thank you, the precious pictures and teachings explain a lot.
My doubt on the terminology was that, Assegai (Azagaia = Az-zágaiã), is a term originated in a throwing spear. I will consider that its atribution changed in the circumstances.
Tim, how long ant thick is the haft of your pictured spear ? is it regularly straight and round finished ? I still have reserves about mine. Is it possible to remount the blade on a new haft, without losing the consistence of the braided collar ?

Tim Simmons · 10th December 2005, 05:38 PM

My spear is 142cm, metal part 33cm, spear point 10.5cm, width of haft 1.7cm. Yours looks unaltered to me. Tim

fernando · 11th December 2005, 08:20 PM

Thank you Tim
I regcognize this spear. You have already post it in this forum, a while ago, right ? I was actually influenced by having seen this piture, when i got suspicious about my haft. While yours is naturaly bent and gets thicker towards the butt ( i think a traditional procedure ), mine is practicaly straight ... no bending and no thickness variations.This looked too correct to me, as i had no other references on these african spears
I will get used to it.
Sorry for my funny english.
Thanks a lot.

Freddy · 11th December 2005, 08:41 PM

The reason that a spear shaft is bent, can be attribuated to the fact that it has been standing, for example in a corner against a wall, for quite some time. I've seen this often.

I prefer to 'hang' my spears. There are two ways. Vertically by tying a piece of rope just beneath the spearhead and hanging it on a nail.
Or horizontally, by using several nails spread over the length of the shaft, depending on the weight of the piece.

Tim Simmons · 11th December 2005, 08:52 PM

Hi fernando,

The haft on your spear does look a little odd. Looking closely at your first pictures there does seem to be some gum and radial scratches at the union of binding and haft which are a little suspicious. At the end of the 19th cent and under white rule, tribes men would still want to parade with a traditional weapon a bit like being well dressed. So small blades were probably more acceptable to the ruling whites. There are a lot of "Zulu" stabbing spears with these small blades for sale but IMHO they are for dress. I think you may be right, the haft does look a little clumsy. You will survive, you should have a look at the rubbish I have acquired . Tim

Tim Simmons · 11th December 2005, 08:56 PM

Freddy, we need a better picture of the fat bladed spear by the back door. Tim

Freddy · 13th December 2005, 06:10 PM

Tim, I've posted a new thread regarding this 'fat bladed' spear.

10th December 2005, 05:38 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	My spear is 142cm, metal part 33cm, spear point 10.5cm, width of haft 1.7cm. Yours looks unaltered to me. Tim Attached Images

11th December 2005, 08:20 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you Tim I regcognize this spear. You have already post it in this forum, a while ago, right ? I was actually influenced by having seen this piture, when i got suspicious about my haft. While yours is naturaly bent and gets thicker towards the butt ( i think a traditional procedure ), mine is practicaly straight ... no bending and no thickness variations.This looked too correct to me, as i had no other references on these african spears I will get used to it. Sorry for my funny english. Thanks a lot. Attached Images

10th December 2005, 01:12 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you, the precious pictures and teachings explain a lot. My doubt on the terminology was that, Assegai (Azagaia = Az-zágaiã), is a term originated in a throwing spear. I will consider that its atribution changed in the circumstances. Tim, how long ant thick is the haft of your pictured spear ? is it regularly straight and round finished ? I still have reserves about mine. Is it possible to remount the blade on a new haft, without losing the consistence of the braided collar ?

11th December 2005, 08:41 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	The reason that a spear shaft is bent, can be attribuated to the fact that it has been standing, for example in a corner against a wall, for quite some time. I've seen this often. I prefer to 'hang' my spears. There are two ways. Vertically by tying a piece of rope just beneath the spearhead and hanging it on a nail. Or horizontally, by using several nails spread over the length of the shaft, depending on the weight of the piece.

11th December 2005, 08:52 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	Hi fernando, The haft on your spear does look a little odd. Looking closely at your first pictures there does seem to be some gum and radial scratches at the union of binding and haft which are a little suspicious. At the end of the 19th cent and under white rule, tribes men would still want to parade with a traditional weapon a bit like being well dressed. So small blades were probably more acceptable to the ruling whites. There are a lot of "Zulu" stabbing spears with these small blades for sale but IMHO they are for dress. I think you may be right, the haft does look a little clumsy. You will survive, you should have a look at the rubbish I have acquired . Tim

11th December 2005, 08:56 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	Freddy, we need a better picture of the fat bladed spear by the back door. Tim

13th December 2005, 06:10 PM	#7
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Tim, I've posted a new thread regarding this 'fat bladed' spear.