Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Freddy · 29th July 2005, 08:34 AM

You are quite right : a Ngbandi spear. There's nothing wrong with the length of your spear. I have a similar one which measures about 63 inches (157,5 cm).

Don't forget these were weapons for close combat, stabbing spears. The long blades of Ngbandi spears were used for thrusting through the shield of the opponent.

I see some nice carving on the handle.

The metal 'shovel-type' butt is not typical, but spear blades were traded all over Central Africa. It's possible that the owner preferred that type of butt end to the more conventional one. Nothing wrong with that either.

Later, I will post some pictures of butt ends on the forum.

29th July 2005, 08:34 AM	#3
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	You are quite right : a Ngbandi spear. There's nothing wrong with the length of your spear. I have a similar one which measures about 63 inches (157,5 cm). Don't forget these were weapons for close combat, stabbing spears. The long blades of Ngbandi spears were used for thrusting through the shield of the opponent. I see some nice carving on the handle. The metal 'shovel-type' butt is not typical, but spear blades were traded all over Central Africa. It's possible that the owner preferred that type of butt end to the more conventional one. Nothing wrong with that either. Later, I will post some pictures of butt ends on the forum.