African spear

[mross]

Thanks all, special thanks to Norman. Mine seems to be the brother of yours just to the left of the knobkerrie in the central 3. Even the wrap looks similar, In your close ups which one is it? So mine is a stabber then?

[Helleri]

Originally Posted by mross

Thanks all, special thanks to Norman. Mine seems to be the brother of yours just to the left of the knobkerrie in the central 3. Even the wrap looks similar, In your close ups which one is it? So mine is a stabber then?

The flare at the base of the shaft on yours is subtle. That could simply be from the maker cutting the cane off at a knot so as to ward against the shaft splintering from the end. But over all the shaft is long and slender. It's also warped enough to suggest that when it was once supple that it was rather flexible.

It looks to me to be best suited to throwing. That doesn't mean that it was only used for throwing...

Something to keep in mind about tribal societies is that most people in them know (at least to some degree) how to do most jobs. There isn't a whole lot of room for specialists. Usually the people who do know a lot of things that others do not know have an elevated status. Because if a tribe looses that person, they loose a big chunk of what they collectively know how to do. For instance someone with a deep understanding of herbal preparation and application for primitive medicinal purposes might also be a tribal leader or at least someone whose word you wouldn't go against to hastily.

So there is a high chance that the person who made it was also the person that used it. As such they may have well customized it for their use and preferences. Which could mean that they didn't make a dedicated ranged or melee weapon, but something which strikes a balance.

[Norman McCormick]

Hi,
I agree with the above from Helleri. In the spears I have shown it is quite obvious which are dedicated 'pokers' and 'chuckers' although I guess this could be interchangeable as required. The others, apart from the cut down one, are relatively ambiguous and I suspect would be suited to both being thrown and thrusting. Tools and weapons have long been interchangeable with regard to function.
In answer to your question the second from the top in the close up photo. That one has an overall length of 43 inches with a blade of 14 inches. Perhaps you could measure yours for a comparison.
Regards,
Norman.