steel in african weapons

Freddy · 13th June 2008, 08:15 PM

I agree what Lew says. In Central Africa it would have been very difficult to wear metal protective gear.

In 'Dodelijk Mooi' (Deadly Beauty) I found some examples of Central African armour.

First pic shows some Mangbetu warrior (photograph taken in 1936). They wear some kind of leather apron as protection.

Next is a Ngiri warrior from Congo in full battledress (photograph taken in 1916). The second picture shows his body armour.

Third is a kind of helmet from the Mbala in Congo :

Last, but not least are som Mali horsemen with their horses in full armour. This armour consist of thick cotton clothing.

All this would surely protect against spears, arrows and other bladed weapons.

13th June 2008, 08:15 PM	#6
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Central African armour I agree what Lew says. In Central Africa it would have been very difficult to wear metal protective gear. In 'Dodelijk Mooi' (Deadly Beauty) I found some examples of Central African armour. First pic shows some Mangbetu warrior (photograph taken in 1936). They wear some kind of leather apron as protection. Next is a Ngiri warrior from Congo in full battledress (photograph taken in 1916). The second picture shows his body armour. Third is a kind of helmet from the Mbala in Congo : Last, but not least are som Mali horsemen with their horses in full armour. This armour consist of thick cotton clothing. All this would surely protect against spears, arrows and other bladed weapons.