African Galleries in the BM

Freddy · 11th May 2007, 04:32 PM

Here's a postcard I found amongst the ones I have. I mainly interested in postcards if they show pics of warriors (especially from Africa).

This picture was taken at the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervueren (Belgium). Even now the displays at that museum are 'old fashioned', but they show a lot of tribal art (weapons included).

This showcase is filled with Songye (Nsapo-nsapo) axes and Kuba knives.

Aqtai · 13th May 2007, 08:24 PM

Hi Brian,

I noticed that your 2nd post has a picture of a mail shirt. Where was it from please? And is it African or imported?

Thanks,

Hisham

Tim Simmons · 13th May 2007, 09:04 PM

I have a feeling that particular mail shirt is from West Africa. From one of the Sultanates that make up the Sahel.

B.I · 14th May 2007, 08:30 AM

I think what Hisham is hinting at, is whether the shirt is African or adapted in Africa from an earlier source. There are a few examples of Ottoman helmets and shirts that have been adapted and re-used in North Africa in the 19thC, and some of these date back to the 15th/16thC.
Unfortunately, I was very late, and just had enough time to take the images, and not closely examine the links to see it they were of an Ottoman style. Possibly they are. I do remember they were riveted.
Next time I pass there (fairly often) I'll pop in and have a closer look.

Tim Simmons · 14th May 2007, 04:49 PM

My point is that it is just as likely made in the region, as they were made in the Mahdist Sudan, Africa.

11th May 2007, 04:32 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Here's a postcard I found amongst the ones I have. I mainly interested in postcards if they show pics of warriors (especially from Africa). This picture was taken at the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervueren (Belgium). Even now the displays at that museum are 'old fashioned', but they show a lot of tribal art (weapons included). This showcase is filled with Songye (Nsapo-nsapo) axes and Kuba knives.

13th May 2007, 08:24 PM	#2
Aqtai Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Merseyside, UK Posts: 222	Hi Brian, I noticed that your 2nd post has a picture of a mail shirt. Where was it from please? And is it African or imported? Thanks, Hisham

13th May 2007, 09:04 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	I have a feeling that particular mail shirt is from West Africa. From one of the Sultanates that make up the Sahel.

14th May 2007, 08:30 AM	#4
B.I Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 485	I think what Hisham is hinting at, is whether the shirt is African or adapted in Africa from an earlier source. There are a few examples of Ottoman helmets and shirts that have been adapted and re-used in North Africa in the 19thC, and some of these date back to the 15th/16thC. Unfortunately, I was very late, and just had enough time to take the images, and not closely examine the links to see it they were of an Ottoman style. Possibly they are. I do remember they were riveted. Next time I pass there (fairly often) I'll pop in and have a closer look.

14th May 2007, 04:49 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	My point is that it is just as likely made in the region, as they were made in the Mahdist Sudan, Africa.