Unknown spear for comment and identification

Araña_del_Sol · 29th September 2025, 02:50 AM

Greetings,

This spear appears to be African but I have not been able to identify the regional/ethnic attribution. It is 163cm (~64.25 inches) in overall length and has a distinctive point/blade with elevated fin-like midribs for at least the first 1/3 length of the blade. This feature gives the blade an X-shaped cross-section where it occurs, hopefully it comes across clearly in the photographs. Aside from this, the butt end is covered in an iron sleeve terminating in a thick iron coil. Any help identifying a more specific attribution would be appreciated.

-ADS

DaveF · 1st October 2025, 09:51 PM

The spear tip appears to be attached to the shaft by means of a tang rather than a socket. I believe this makes it more likely to have origins in Southern Africa, or to groups that left Southern Africa as part of the diaspora after the Zulu wars. It's hard to see from your photos, but I believe the tangs are are usually secured with a raw hide "shrink wrap", and an animal tail skin also allowed to shrink onto the shaft. There are plenty people on here who know far more than me who could correct me if I've got it wrong.
If you look on www.africanarms.com you will find several examples of spears with tangs and an "x" cross section, Irangi spears from Tanzania, for example.

Araña_del_Sol · Yesterday, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveF

The spear tip appears to be attached to the shaft by means of a tang rather than a socket. I believe this makes it more likely to have origins in Southern Africa, or to groups that left Southern Africa as part of the diaspora after the Zulu wars. It's hard to see from your photos, but I believe the tangs are are usually secured with a raw hide "shrink wrap", and an animal tail skin also allowed to shrink onto the shaft. There are plenty people on here who know far more than me who could correct me if I've got it wrong.
If you look on www.africanarms.com you will find several examples of spears with tangs and an "x" cross section, Irangi spears from Tanzania, for example.

Thank you for your response, I tried to take clearer pictures to show the socket (below). I suspect that it might come from West Africa or perhaps Cameroon.

- ADS

DaveF · Yesterday, 03:35 PM

Ah, I see the socket now! Well at least you can rule out the Zulus!

29th September 2025, 02:50 AM	#1
Araña_del_Sol Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 60	Unknown spear for comment and identification Greetings, This spear appears to be African but I have not been able to identify the regional/ethnic attribution. It is 163cm (~64.25 inches) in overall length and has a distinctive point/blade with elevated fin-like midribs for at least the first 1/3 length of the blade. This feature gives the blade an X-shaped cross-section where it occurs, hopefully it comes across clearly in the photographs. Aside from this, the butt end is covered in an iron sleeve terminating in a thick iron coil. Any help identifying a more specific attribution would be appreciated. -ADS Attached Images

1st October 2025, 09:51 PM	#2
DaveF Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Lancashire, England Posts: 52	The spear tip appears to be attached to the shaft by means of a tang rather than a socket. I believe this makes it more likely to have origins in Southern Africa, or to groups that left Southern Africa as part of the diaspora after the Zulu wars. It's hard to see from your photos, but I believe the tangs are are usually secured with a raw hide "shrink wrap", and an animal tail skin also allowed to shrink onto the shaft. There are plenty people on here who know far more than me who could correct me if I've got it wrong. If you look on www.africanarms.com you will find several examples of spears with tangs and an "x" cross section, Irangi spears from Tanzania, for example.

Yesterday, 03:35 PM	#4
DaveF Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Lancashire, England Posts: 52	Ah, I see the socket now! Well at least you can rule out the Zulus!