African (shona) axe?

katana · 9th May 2006, 09:56 PM

Just got this axe, ( my first one

) described as approx, a century old (1908), wire work is aluminium.
Was aluminium available in Africa at this time? I am assuming that it was, but would have been relatively scarce. (high status axe? Or did aluminium have a ‘mystical’ properties?).
The blade is narrow and suggests that it was not designed for utilitarian tasks, so would it be considered a war axe.?

Tim Simmons · 10th May 2006, 08:38 PM

Popular belief is that these are generally from Tanzania and very often dismissed as tourist items. I am not so sure that is the case with many that I have seen, but I do have one in the loft where all the bad things go.

katana · 10th May 2006, 08:46 PM

I haven't receive this yet. So its probably a 'tourist' piece

. ....never mind. It was 'cheap as chips (+ a saveloy)'

Thanks Tim.

Tim Simmons · 10th May 2006, 09:06 PM

I did say that I am not 100% convinced that these are all tourist things. That idea is often formed when collectors have no real comprehension of the material poverty that is the lot of many Africans. These are simple made things, made from what ever is to hand. They are traditionally chiefly regalia. It was obviously not made yesterday. So for saveloy and chips I think it is good. What do they put in saveloy anyway, they do not taste like I remember.

1908 is possible for the use of aluminium but it was very expensive untill the end of WW1. Usually it is an indication of being made from the 1920s.

katana · 10th May 2006, 10:45 PM

When I receive the axe and have it 'in hand' I may be able to deduce whether it is 'genuine' or a tourist piece.
As for savaloys I suspect we are all better off not knowing what ingredients are used, ........my dog won't even eat one

Rick · 10th May 2006, 11:10 PM

I know I was :

To Make Savaloys
Take 3 pounds of young pork free from bone and skin; salt it with an ounce of salt-petre, and a pound of common salt for two days; chop it fine; put in 3 teaspoonsful of pepper; a dozen sage leaves chopped fine, and a pound of grated bread; mix it well, fill the guts, and bake them half an hour in a slack oven: they are good either hot or cold.

Salt Petre !?!

You poor Blokes .........

Tim Simmons · 11th May 2006, 07:13 AM

Eaten in a state of inebriation on a cold nights walk home I believe they can be quite epicurean.

Rick · 11th May 2006, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Eaten in a state of inebriation on a cold nights walk home I believe they can be quite epicurean.

Eaten in a state of inebriation with all that saltpetre they could contribute to 'brewer's droop ' .

katana · 11th May 2006, 04:20 PM

I am sure I read somewhere that gunpowder was believed to be an aphrodisiac (it was injested). Salpetre (a constituant of gunpowder) must have the opposite effect.
........anyway I've found gunpowder stains your tongue black

Lew · 11th May 2006, 11:59 PM

Hi Katana

Here is one I picked up last month also from Tanzania.

Tim Simmons · 12th May 2006, 03:51 PM

Well Lew you know where you can stick this one, na,nana,nanana!!!!!

In a box to me

.

katana · 12th May 2006, 08:01 PM

Received axe today, blade is well fixed, evidence of previous sharpening, angle of axe head to handle feels 'right' (same angle as Lew's example, thanks for posting pic, Lew). So on that criteria it is either a well made tourist piece or 'genuine'.
Tim, now I can see why these cause confusion, but I think this axe is not a tourist piece........ but there again

9th May 2006, 09:56 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	African (shona) axe? Just got this axe, ( my first one ) described as approx, a century old (1908), wire work is aluminium. Was aluminium available in Africa at this time? I am assuming that it was, but would have been relatively scarce. (high status axe? Or did aluminium have a ‘mystical’ properties?). The blade is narrow and suggests that it was not designed for utilitarian tasks, so would it be considered a war axe.? Attached Images

10th May 2006, 09:06 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	I did say that I am not 100% convinced that these are all tourist things. That idea is often formed when collectors have no real comprehension of the material poverty that is the lot of many Africans. These are simple made things, made from what ever is to hand. They are traditionally chiefly regalia. It was obviously not made yesterday. So for saveloy and chips I think it is good. What do they put in saveloy anyway, they do not taste like I remember. 1908 is possible for the use of aluminium but it was very expensive untill the end of WW1. Usually it is an indication of being made from the 1920s. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 10th May 2006 at 09:17 PM.

10th May 2006, 11:10 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,263	In Case Anyone Was Curious I know I was : To Make Savaloys Take 3 pounds of young pork free from bone and skin; salt it with an ounce of salt-petre, and a pound of common salt for two days; chop it fine; put in 3 teaspoonsful of pepper; a dozen sage leaves chopped fine, and a pound of grated bread; mix it well, fill the guts, and bake them half an hour in a slack oven: they are good either hot or cold. Salt Petre !?! You poor Blokes .........

11th May 2006, 11:59 PM	#10
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Katana Here is one I picked up last month also from Tanzania. Attached Images

10th May 2006, 08:38 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Popular belief is that these are generally from Tanzania and very often dismissed as tourist items. I am not so sure that is the case with many that I have seen, but I do have one in the loft where all the bad things go.

10th May 2006, 08:46 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	I haven't receive this yet. So its probably a 'tourist' piece . ....never mind. It was 'cheap as chips (+ a saveloy)' Thanks Tim.

10th May 2006, 10:45 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	When I receive the axe and have it 'in hand' I may be able to deduce whether it is 'genuine' or a tourist piece. As for savaloys I suspect we are all better off not knowing what ingredients are used, ........my dog won't even eat one

11th May 2006, 07:13 AM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Eaten in a state of inebriation on a cold nights walk home I believe they can be quite epicurean.

11th May 2006, 04:20 PM	#9
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	I am sure I read somewhere that gunpowder was believed to be an aphrodisiac (it was injested). Salpetre (a constituant of gunpowder) must have the opposite effect. ........anyway I've found gunpowder stains your tongue black

12th May 2006, 03:51 PM	#11
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Well Lew you know where you can stick this one, na,nana,nanana!!!!! In a box to me .

12th May 2006, 08:01 PM	#12
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Received axe today, blade is well fixed, evidence of previous sharpening, angle of axe head to handle feels 'right' (same angle as Lew's example, thanks for posting pic, Lew). So on that criteria it is either a well made tourist piece or 'genuine'. Tim, now I can see why these cause confusion, but I think this axe is not a tourist piece........ but there again