Cameroon (Bali) short sword

Yvain · 5th November 2022, 03:21 AM

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to show you this Bali short sword from North-West Cameroon! I was able to identify its origin, but I have no idea of how old it is. Found it for a very low price at a flea market, seems like it was part of a panoply at some point (hole in the gard), and has a sharp blade, except for the point.

Thanks in advance for your comments! 🙂

Martin Lubojacky · 5th November 2022, 01:26 PM

Hi Yvain,
Thanks for sending the photos. I think it's not a very old specimen. This type of Cameroonian short sword is very decorative(in my point of view) and is a nice addition to a collection of African cold weapons, where it shows their variety and artistic conception. I think, this sword is also not often seen. Congratulations.

Yvain · 5th November 2022, 08:54 PM

Thank you Martin! Indeed, it seems to be rather unusual, I've not found a similar one in the online collections I usually use, but I did find two other very similar specimens, including one on this forum.

Also, a small but interesting detail, one of the figures is one-eyed, I wonder what is the meaning behind this...

Martin Lubojacky · 6th November 2022, 11:15 AM

The eye thing is interesting. Either something unforeseen happened (like the producer's wife sent him on an urgent shopping and he forgot to finish it after then, or something even more serious....). But enough joking around. I think it cannot be ruled out that it really means something. - Also, for example, I have an old used mask from Nigeria (maybe Cameroonian borderland) that bears the signs of being a real portrait, including some scars (but not ritualistic) on the face ...

5th November 2022, 03:21 AM	#1
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 170	Cameroon (Bali) short sword Hi everyone! Just wanted to show you this Bali short sword from North-West Cameroon! I was able to identify its origin, but I have no idea of how old it is. Found it for a very low price at a flea market, seems like it was part of a panoply at some point (hole in the gard), and has a sharp blade, except for the point. Thanks in advance for your comments! 🙂 Attached Images

5th November 2022, 08:54 PM	#3
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 170	Thank you Martin! Indeed, it seems to be rather unusual, I've not found a similar one in the online collections I usually use, but I did find two other very similar specimens, including one on this forum. Also, a small but interesting detail, one of the figures is one-eyed, I wonder what is the meaning behind this... Attached Images

5th November 2022, 01:26 PM	#2
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 836	Hi Yvain, Thanks for sending the photos. I think it's not a very old specimen. This type of Cameroonian short sword is very decorative(in my point of view) and is a nice addition to a collection of African cold weapons, where it shows their variety and artistic conception. I think, this sword is also not often seen. Congratulations.

6th November 2022, 11:15 AM	#4
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 836	The eye thing is interesting. Either something unforeseen happened (like the producer's wife sent him on an urgent shopping and he forgot to finish it after then, or something even more serious....). But enough joking around. I think it cannot be ruled out that it really means something. - Also, for example, I have an old used mask from Nigeria (maybe Cameroonian borderland) that bears the signs of being a real portrait, including some scars (but not ritualistic) on the face ...