SPEAR for comments

thinreadline · 23rd April 2013, 04:18 PM

Starting to pull the spears out from my 'heap' and thought this was an interesting one of which I know nothing at all .
Overall length 92 cm
Blade length inc socket 63 cm , max width 7 cm.
Shaft is of hardwood , with a swollen carved section , either side of which is covered with spiralled iron , with a long plain section towards the head . The diameter of the shaft is mostly around 2 cm with the swollen section being 4 cm.
Seems of high quality.
Any ideas about the geographical origin etc would be welcomed.

colin henshaw · 23rd April 2013, 05:25 PM

It looks a good old spear from the Congo area. I've seen this sort described as "Ngbandi", "Ngala" etc. Probably others can be more specific on this point.

I'm not really sure how accurately Congolese weapons can be pinpointed to the various tribal groups ?? no doubt there was a fair bit of diffusion etc.

Regards.

thinreadline · 23rd April 2013, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

It looks a good old spear from the Congo area. I've seen this sort described as "Ngbandi", "Ngala" etc. Probably others can be more specific on this point.

I'm not really sure how accurately Congolese weapons can be pinpointed to the various tribal groups ?? no doubt there was a fair bit of diffusion etc.

Regards.

Thanks Colin .... to be honest I wasnt even sure if it was African !

23rd April 2013, 04:18 PM	#1
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	SPEAR for comments Starting to pull the spears out from my 'heap' and thought this was an interesting one of which I know nothing at all . Overall length 92 cm Blade length inc socket 63 cm , max width 7 cm. Shaft is of hardwood , with a swollen carved section , either side of which is covered with spiralled iron , with a long plain section towards the head . The diameter of the shaft is mostly around 2 cm with the swollen section being 4 cm. Seems of high quality. Any ideas about the geographical origin etc would be welcomed. Attached Images

23rd April 2013, 05:25 PM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	It looks a good old spear from the Congo area. I've seen this sort described as "Ngbandi", "Ngala" etc. Probably others can be more specific on this point. I'm not really sure how accurately Congolese weapons can be pinpointed to the various tribal groups ?? no doubt there was a fair bit of diffusion etc. Regards.