HELP to identify Nigerian spear blade

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by ShakaAmaZulu

Could it be Edo or Yoruba ?

I can't really say. The coast of West Africa had contact by European ships early on (15th & 16th centuries), and as far as I know, the inhabitants soon started to use muskets and European type swords and machete weapons. Presumably the Edo and Yoruba used spears prior to that, but I have seen little evidence to refer to.

Your spear could possibly relate to Ogun, the Yoruba "God of Iron" or be a currency spear, but again I can find little direct evidence to support this. Spears with more than one point were often used for magical or religious purposes. There is a monograph by K G Lindblom "Spears and staffs with two or more points in Africa" Stockholm 1937 that may be useful if you can get hold of a copy.

Do you have a reason for thinking your spear could be Edo or Yoruba ? The traditional weapons of the Forest Kingdoms of West Africa is an interesting area, so do post any information/references you have...

Regards.