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

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.

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.

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