Zulu Short Halbard ?

Tim Simmons · 16th July 2007, 09:20 PM

Well now we get to splitting hairs. What is wealth? the item in question looks well made the materials may be simple or should I say not expensive to our minds. It could still be a prestige item to a nomadic or semi nomadic community. Even a sedimentary chieftaincy far from the the main man would need regalia. The standard of such things is often an indication as to how close a person may be to the one that has somehow achieved the highest status whether they really know what they are doing or not, and all the others want to be seen as followers .

katana · 16th July 2007, 11:14 PM

Hi Tim,
I totally agree with what you said...I think I have not explained myself properly. What I meant was that, this form of axe, if truely African, is rare. The exclusivity of this style (of axe) would show the high status of the owner without any 'adornment' I think IMHO that this style of axe if it were common, (which clearly it isn't), many 'status groups' would own the 'same styled axe' .So to show higher status it would be decorated or made from materials that would reflect that status.

16th July 2007, 09:20 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Well now we get to splitting hairs. What is wealth? the item in question looks well made the materials may be simple or should I say not expensive to our minds. It could still be a prestige item to a nomadic or semi nomadic community. Even a sedimentary chieftaincy far from the the main man would need regalia. The standard of such things is often an indication as to how close a person may be to the one that has somehow achieved the highest status whether they really know what they are doing or not, and all the others want to be seen as followers .

16th July 2007, 11:14 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Tim, I totally agree with what you said...I think I have not explained myself properly. What I meant was that, this form of axe, if truely African, is rare. The exclusivity of this style (of axe) would show the high status of the owner without any 'adornment' I think IMHO that this style of axe if it were common, (which clearly it isn't), many 'status groups' would own the 'same styled axe' .So to show higher status it would be decorated or made from materials that would reflect that status.