tubu throwning knife

weapons 27 · 18th December 2014, 12:18 PM

I would like to know if the carvings on the blade of this throwning knife tubu from tchad have a meaning, or only decorative
thank to all

VANDOO · 18th December 2014, 05:14 PM

I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE FORM OF THIS KNIFE.

THE DESIGNS NO DOUBT HAVE A NAME AND MAY HAVE HAD MEANING OR JUST BEEN DECORATIONS. AFRICAN WEAPONS IS NOT MY FIELD SO I DON'T KNOW.
FOR EXAMPLE.
FIJI CLUBS USE A DESIGN CALLED TAVATAVA FREQUENTLY, AS FAR AS I KNOW ITS JUST DECORATIVE. YOU CAN'T TELL WHICH ISLAND OR WHICH TRIBE THE ITEM CAME FROM BY ITS PRESENCE AS IT WAS WIDELY USED IN FIJI AND ELSEWHERE. THE DESIGN IS OFTEN ON THE GRIP OF WEAPONS AND HELPS TO GRIP CLUBS. THE DESIGN ITS- SELF IS AN OLD SIMPLE ONE AND MAY HAVE SOME MEANING PROTECTIVE OR OTHERWISE AS WELL AS A UTILITARIAN PURPOSE.
THIS MAY BE THE CASE WITH THESE AFRICAN THROWING KNIVES OR THEY COULD HAVE PERSONAL VARIATIONS IN THE MARKINGS WHICH WOULD IDENTIFY THE OWNER. THIS WOULD HELP THE WARRIOR CLAIM HIS WEAPON AS WELL AS PERHAPS GET CREDIT FOR A KILL. SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE HAS BEEN LOST LEAVING US WITH CONJECTURE AND LOGIC WHICH WORK SOMETIMES BUT OFTEN MISS THE MARK AS LOGIC MAY HAVE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ORIGINAL INTENT.

Shakethetrees · 18th December 2014, 11:59 PM

I see them as mid-rib strengthening elements that were a function of the forging process.

I am not an expert in African weapons, but on the numerous examples I've seen illustrated, all symbolism was more deliberate in its execution and not necessarily an integral part of the weapon's functionality.

Battara · 19th December 2014, 12:00 AM

Wow! One of the most bizarre form of these I have ever seen!

18th December 2014, 12:18 PM	#1
weapons 27 Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 462	tubu throwning knife I would like to know if the carvings on the blade of this throwning knife tubu from tchad have a meaning, or only decorative thank to all Attached Images

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18th December 2014, 05:14 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE FORM OF THIS KNIFE. THE DESIGNS NO DOUBT HAVE A NAME AND MAY HAVE HAD MEANING OR JUST BEEN DECORATIONS. AFRICAN WEAPONS IS NOT MY FIELD SO I DON'T KNOW. FOR EXAMPLE. FIJI CLUBS USE A DESIGN CALLED TAVATAVA FREQUENTLY, AS FAR AS I KNOW ITS JUST DECORATIVE. YOU CAN'T TELL WHICH ISLAND OR WHICH TRIBE THE ITEM CAME FROM BY ITS PRESENCE AS IT WAS WIDELY USED IN FIJI AND ELSEWHERE. THE DESIGN IS OFTEN ON THE GRIP OF WEAPONS AND HELPS TO GRIP CLUBS. THE DESIGN ITS- SELF IS AN OLD SIMPLE ONE AND MAY HAVE SOME MEANING PROTECTIVE OR OTHERWISE AS WELL AS A UTILITARIAN PURPOSE. THIS MAY BE THE CASE WITH THESE AFRICAN THROWING KNIVES OR THEY COULD HAVE PERSONAL VARIATIONS IN THE MARKINGS WHICH WOULD IDENTIFY THE OWNER. THIS WOULD HELP THE WARRIOR CLAIM HIS WEAPON AS WELL AS PERHAPS GET CREDIT FOR A KILL. SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE HAS BEEN LOST LEAVING US WITH CONJECTURE AND LOGIC WHICH WORK SOMETIMES BUT OFTEN MISS THE MARK AS LOGIC MAY HAVE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ORIGINAL INTENT.

18th December 2014, 11:59 PM	#3
Shakethetrees Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 363	I see them as mid-rib strengthening elements that were a function of the forging process. I am not an expert in African weapons, but on the numerous examples I've seen illustrated, all symbolism was more deliberate in its execution and not necessarily an integral part of the weapon's functionality.

19th December 2014, 12:00 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Wow! One of the most bizarre form of these I have ever seen!