Spearhead.... North African ?

katana · 17th March 2006, 08:41 PM

Yes you're right, I am new to African weaponry, and I am becoming more aware of the difficulties in tying weapons with particular tribes/groups. Your help and understanding is greatly appreciated.
In your opinion, is this spearhead an uncommon find or are they generally easily acquired. There appears to be some age evident, as it has a nice patina, but how old... I have no idea.
thanks again

Tim Simmons · 17th March 2006, 09:00 PM

I would be lying if I said they were rare, good examples of the any kind of spear, often considered part of a mans dress not just a weapon are always uncommon. Tim

Luc LEFEBVRE · 20th March 2006, 12:23 AM

In "Waffen aus Zentral-Africa" one is described has maybe Mangbetu.
Luc

Tim Simmons · 20th March 2006, 08:35 AM

Yes looks that way; I believe the Mangbetu also inhabit areas of the sothern Sudan.

katana · 20th March 2006, 01:03 PM

Thankyou Luc,
certainly looks like a good match, and the book you referred to seems very informative, the illustrations are excellent.It seems that a great deal of literature regarding African weapons are in German, French and Dutch ( I appreciate the historical reasons for this.) Looks like I will have to try and gradually locate some, and use the 'Babel Fish' translation site to read them.

Luc LEFEBVRE · 20th March 2006, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

Thankyou Luc,
certainly looks like a good match, and the book you referred to seems very informative, the illustrations are excellent.It seems that a great deal of literature regarding African weapons are in German, French and Dutch ( I appreciate the historical reasons for this.) Looks like I will have to try and gradually locate some, and use the 'Babel Fish' translation site to read them.

Many books edited in Belgium are french/english/dutch (or german) , so no problem !
You can have a small list on my website at the bottom of this page:
http://lulef.free.fr/html/armes_africaines.html

Luc

katana · 21st March 2006, 05:51 PM

Thanks Luc, I like your website, so it's now in my 'favorites' in my web browser.

20th March 2006, 12:23 AM	#3
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	In "Waffen aus Zentral-Africa" one is described has maybe Mangbetu. Luc Attached Images

17th March 2006, 08:41 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Yes you're right, I am new to African weaponry, and I am becoming more aware of the difficulties in tying weapons with particular tribes/groups. Your help and understanding is greatly appreciated. In your opinion, is this spearhead an uncommon find or are they generally easily acquired. There appears to be some age evident, as it has a nice patina, but how old... I have no idea. thanks again

17th March 2006, 09:00 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	I would be lying if I said they were rare, good examples of the any kind of spear, often considered part of a mans dress not just a weapon are always uncommon. Tim

20th March 2006, 08:35 AM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Yes looks that way; I believe the Mangbetu also inhabit areas of the sothern Sudan.

20th March 2006, 01:03 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thankyou Luc, certainly looks like a good match, and the book you referred to seems very informative, the illustrations are excellent.It seems that a great deal of literature regarding African weapons are in German, French and Dutch ( I appreciate the historical reasons for this.) Looks like I will have to try and gradually locate some, and use the 'Babel Fish' translation site to read them.

21st March 2006, 05:51 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thanks Luc, I like your website, so it's now in my 'favorites' in my web browser.