which tribe?

Tim Simmons · 6th April 2005, 07:43 AM

That is very nice, this one is from East Africa again I am not 100% sure which tribal group it is from,I just call it one of my Massi spears.If you think Congo thrusting spears are strong and heavy you have to handle one of these.Tim

Freddy · 7th April 2005, 07:42 PM

Hi Tim,

You are quite right as to the origin of the first two spears. I looked it up in 'Deadly Beauty' and the author gives the following tribes : Lokele, So, Mba, Hanga, Mongelima.

Westerdijk states that these types of spear were used by the So, Olombo and Lokele.

The third one, you showed, is not Kuba. It's definitively a Ngbandi spear, from the same area as the ones I showed. Only difference : the shape of the spear blade.

Here's a similar example to yours :

Look at the carved middle piece and the typical butt.

A Kuba spear has a much smaller and diamond shaped blade.

I found a picture in Westerdijk. The Kuba spear blade are the smaller ones on the left and the right (not the two in the middle)

Flavio,

In 'Westerdijk' your spear is attributed to the Sakara- and/or Ngando-tribe from Central Congo. He adds that this type of spear was also used by tribes living more to the south of this area : Kutu, Bole and Yela.
It's a war spear, with a shovel-shaped butt piece. Also the copper winding is typical for this type of spear. A flat strip of copper is used to wind around the shaft. Other tribes usually use thick copper thread.

Nice spear. I'm jealous.....I don't have one (yet)

6th April 2005, 07:43 AM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	That is very nice, this one is from East Africa again I am not 100% sure which tribal group it is from,I just call it one of my Massi spears.If you think Congo thrusting spears are strong and heavy you have to handle one of these.Tim Attached Images

7th April 2005, 07:42 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Spear info Hi Tim, You are quite right as to the origin of the first two spears. I looked it up in 'Deadly Beauty' and the author gives the following tribes : Lokele, So, Mba, Hanga, Mongelima. Westerdijk states that these types of spear were used by the So, Olombo and Lokele. The third one, you showed, is not Kuba. It's definitively a Ngbandi spear, from the same area as the ones I showed. Only difference : the shape of the spear blade. Here's a similar example to yours : Look at the carved middle piece and the typical butt. A Kuba spear has a much smaller and diamond shaped blade. I found a picture in Westerdijk. The Kuba spear blade are the smaller ones on the left and the right (not the two in the middle) Flavio, In 'Westerdijk' your spear is attributed to the Sakara- and/or Ngando-tribe from Central Congo. He adds that this type of spear was also used by tribes living more to the south of this area : Kutu, Bole and Yela. It's a war spear, with a shovel-shaped butt piece. Also the copper winding is typical for this type of spear. A flat strip of copper is used to wind around the shaft. Other tribes usually use thick copper thread. Nice spear. I'm jealous.....I don't have one (yet)