Congo Pygmy Arrow heads

colin henshaw · 25th July 2008, 09:24 AM

Hi

Very interesting, especially with the old documentation. There's a book just come out on African bows and arrows, called "Ata Epe" by Hendrik Wiethase. Its in German, but has lots of very useful photos and illustrations.

Regards

Freddy · 25th July 2008, 07:40 PM

Here are a couple of complete Pygmee arrows. The shafts are made of some kind of light wood. The feathering is done by using dried leaves. The biggest one measures about 50 cm.

I believe these arrows were coated with some kind of poison. If you hit something, they would 'stick' but otherwise do very little damage (as they are so lightweight). When fastworking poison is used, then they can become lethal (at least to bird and/or monkeys).

Freddy · 25th July 2008, 07:46 PM

I forgot to mention : the arrowheads measure between 5,5 cm and 7 cm.

I've added some pictures of a Pygmee bow. Typical of these are the animal tail at one of the extremities. This bow measures 70 cm from tip to tip. It has a rattan string, some animal skin and has iron binding.

katana · 26th July 2008, 07:45 PM

Hi Colin and Freddy

,

I agree Colin even more interesting with the 'old documentation'....a piece of history in 'itself'.

Thank you Freddy with your input, very nice arrows, although most arrows I have seen / read about are constructed with a main shaft and a thinner shaft to which the arrow head is fitted. The arrow heads on yours suggest they were used on larger game, the barbs preventing the animal removing them before the poison had taken effect. Mine being 'barbless' were probably for small game where the effect of the penetration of the arrow is more effective in killing / maiming the animal ...with perhaps poison ..to make sure.

Kind Regards David

tribalarms · 30th July 2008, 01:39 PM

Freddys arrows is from the Mangbetu region. The pygmees did not work with metal, but traded for metal implements from neighbouring peoples.

Freddy: if you check the marks on the arrowshafts it is a high probability they correspond with the shape of the arrowhead, atlest they do on most I have examined. The quiver was open at the top so the marks helped chosing the right arrow in a full quiver.

25th July 2008, 09:24 AM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	Hi Very interesting, especially with the old documentation. There's a book just come out on African bows and arrows, called "Ata Epe" by Hendrik Wiethase. Its in German, but has lots of very useful photos and illustrations. Regards

25th July 2008, 07:40 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Here are a couple of complete Pygmee arrows. The shafts are made of some kind of light wood. The feathering is done by using dried leaves. The biggest one measures about 50 cm. I believe these arrows were coated with some kind of poison. If you hit something, they would 'stick' but otherwise do very little damage (as they are so lightweight). When fastworking poison is used, then they can become lethal (at least to bird and/or monkeys).

25th July 2008, 07:46 PM	#3
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	I forgot to mention : the arrowheads measure between 5,5 cm and 7 cm. I've added some pictures of a Pygmee bow. Typical of these are the animal tail at one of the extremities. This bow measures 70 cm from tip to tip. It has a rattan string, some animal skin and has iron binding.

26th July 2008, 07:45 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Colin and Freddy , I agree Colin even more interesting with the 'old documentation'....a piece of history in 'itself'. Thank you Freddy with your input, very nice arrows, although most arrows I have seen / read about are constructed with a main shaft and a thinner shaft to which the arrow head is fitted. The arrow heads on yours suggest they were used on larger game, the barbs preventing the animal removing them before the poison had taken effect. Mine being 'barbless' were probably for small game where the effect of the penetration of the arrow is more effective in killing / maiming the animal ...with perhaps poison ..to make sure. Kind Regards David

30th July 2008, 01:39 PM	#5
tribalarms Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 26	Freddys arrows is from the Mangbetu region. The pygmees did not work with metal, but traded for metal implements from neighbouring peoples. Freddy: if you check the marks on the arrowshafts it is a high probability they correspond with the shape of the arrowhead, atlest they do on most I have examined. The quiver was open at the top so the marks helped chosing the right arrow in a full quiver.