Karamajong aces from Uganda

Eliza500 · 14th October 2008, 05:57 PM

Hello. I have come across a few of these axes, with figural bone handles. Does anyone now anything about their history or when they were first made? I have received them from an art teacher in Uganda, who has had very little information on them.

Thanks!

Elizabeth Bennett
Africa Direct

katana · 14th October 2008, 08:06 PM

Hi Elizabeth,
have you any pictures you could post ?

Regards David

Eliza500 · 17th October 2008, 01:57 PM

Hello, David. I don't know how to add a picture-will try to figure it out...but in the meantime, you can cut and paste this:

http://www.africatoyou.com/photos/GHB38.jpg

Thanks so much!

Elizabeth

Jim McDougall · 18th October 2008, 12:35 AM

Hi Elizabeth,
While I think that David and Tim have much more expertise in these African weapons than I do, I always welcome the opportunity to do some checking on my own and offer some observations.

Using the link of the axe illustrated, I looked into Ugandan examples in "African Weapons" by Fischer & Zirngibl (#60,61). These have the head characteristically inserted into the haft, and seem to have as usual variations of axe head shapes. In the reference it is suggested that these axes, as well as your example by the illustration, are likely of Acholi tribe or allied subtribes northern Uganda. The examples illustrated in the resource noted both have different head shapes, but these were collected in the first decade of the 20th century.
The head on the axe you have shown seems very much like those on cult axes of the Songe, to the southwest in the Congo.

Like most ethnographic weapons, especially those in Africa, it is very difficult to assess date as there variations within tribal weapon groups often reflect subtle symbolic and artistic expression, especially in ceremonial pieces like this. Given the figures reflected in the haft, I think looking into the art of the Acholi, whose royal lineages are of Nilotic Luo derivation (Lokal, Lokeer or Lobito, ref: "The Middle Age of African History" ed.Roland Oliver, Nairobi, 1967, p.53) might give some clues.

Concerning how long these particular weapons have been produced, this would be even more difficult. Virtually all provenanced examples are those collected by exploration late in the 19th century and into the 20th. In these tribal cultures, though some pieces are revered in tradition and ceremony and these held along with local legend and often folklore, most weapons used have not survived from early times. We do know that the Luo culture in Ugandan regions derived from Nilotic incursions beginning about early 16th century if I understand correctly, so possibly looking into that aspect might prove useful.

Just my observations and hope of some help.

All best regards,
Jim

Bill M · 18th October 2008, 01:08 AM

Hello Eliza,

Glad you made it here. I think that you will enjoy the Forum.

Here is the picture you wanted to post.

I did a little color correction.

trenchwarfare · 18th October 2008, 05:58 AM

Elizabeth. This post will probably confuse you even more. I recently sold one of these, that was an ebay purchase. Seller said that her husband had bought it on their honeymoon, in a souvenir shop, in the Caribbean. Belize, I think. M.P.

14th October 2008, 05:57 PM	#1
Eliza500 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 6	Karamajong aces from Uganda Hello. I have come across a few of these axes, with figural bone handles. Does anyone now anything about their history or when they were first made? I have received them from an art teacher in Uganda, who has had very little information on them. Thanks! Elizabeth Bennett Africa Direct

17th October 2008, 01:57 PM	#3
Eliza500 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 6	Karamajong axes-picture Hello, David. I don't know how to add a picture-will try to figure it out...but in the meantime, you can cut and paste this: http://www.africatoyou.com/photos/GHB38.jpg Thanks so much! Elizabeth

18th October 2008, 12:35 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,896	Hi Elizabeth, While I think that David and Tim have much more expertise in these African weapons than I do, I always welcome the opportunity to do some checking on my own and offer some observations. Using the link of the axe illustrated, I looked into Ugandan examples in "African Weapons" by Fischer & Zirngibl (#60,61). These have the head characteristically inserted into the haft, and seem to have as usual variations of axe head shapes. In the reference it is suggested that these axes, as well as your example by the illustration, are likely of Acholi tribe or allied subtribes northern Uganda. The examples illustrated in the resource noted both have different head shapes, but these were collected in the first decade of the 20th century. The head on the axe you have shown seems very much like those on cult axes of the Songe, to the southwest in the Congo. Like most ethnographic weapons, especially those in Africa, it is very difficult to assess date as there variations within tribal weapon groups often reflect subtle symbolic and artistic expression, especially in ceremonial pieces like this. Given the figures reflected in the haft, I think looking into the art of the Acholi, whose royal lineages are of Nilotic Luo derivation (Lokal, Lokeer or Lobito, ref: "The Middle Age of African History" ed.Roland Oliver, Nairobi, 1967, p.53) might give some clues. Concerning how long these particular weapons have been produced, this would be even more difficult. Virtually all provenanced examples are those collected by exploration late in the 19th century and into the 20th. In these tribal cultures, though some pieces are revered in tradition and ceremony and these held along with local legend and often folklore, most weapons used have not survived from early times. We do know that the Luo culture in Ugandan regions derived from Nilotic incursions beginning about early 16th century if I understand correctly, so possibly looking into that aspect might prove useful. Just my observations and hope of some help. All best regards, Jim Last edited by Jim McDougall; 18th October 2008 at 12:47 AM.

18th October 2008, 01:08 AM	#5
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Hello Eliza, Glad you made it here. I think that you will enjoy the Forum. Here is the picture you wanted to post. I did a little color correction. Attached Images

14th October 2008, 08:06 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Elizabeth, have you any pictures you could post ? Regards David

18th October 2008, 05:58 AM	#6
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Elizabeth. This post will probably confuse you even more. I recently sold one of these, that was an ebay purchase. Seller said that her husband had bought it on their honeymoon, in a souvenir shop, in the Caribbean. Belize, I think. M.P.