3 More African Spears ...Congo ??

katana · 8th February 2008, 12:57 AM

Hi

please could someone tell me the spears origin...I believe from the Congo. Sellers pictures below, interesting handle/spear butt.

OAL 57"-58"

Thank you

Regards David

Freddy · 8th February 2008, 12:37 PM

Nice pieces, David.

The one with the bulbous shaft is definitively from Northwestern Congo. These were found amongst several tribes, such as : Ngbandi, Bati, Benge, Poto, Ngombe, Gens d'Eau.
Although I must say that the blade of this spear makes me think of another origin (So, Olombo and Lokele from Northeastern Congo). But it could well be that a Northeastern blade found its way to another area.

The one with the slender blade looks Eastafrican to me.

The third one is a bit of a puzzle. It has a strange blade. Did you buy these pieces ? If so, perhaps you could send some better pics when they arrive.

katana · 8th February 2008, 03:58 PM

Hi Freddy

,
thank you for the reply.....your excellent knowledge of Congolese weapons has been very helpful

The spear with the 'handle'....is this a stabbing type or ceremonial ? Yes I have bought them, once they have arrived I will certainly post better pictures / description.

Kind Regards David

Freddy · 8th February 2008, 04:28 PM

The one with the 'bulb' is defintively a thrusting spear. These were used to stab through the wicker shield of the opponent. This type of spear always has a very massive spearhead.

The blade type of your spear is somewhat different, but I wouldn't be bothered with that.

Here are some spear from my collection which have similar shafts.

I also added a couple of pics from the book 'Waffen aus Zentral-Afrika' (Weapons from Central Africa) from the Ethnographic Museum in Frankfurt am Main (Germany).

You can notice that these have the same 'butt'.

katana · 8th February 2008, 07:59 PM

Thanks for the additional info Freddy,
very nice spears....I especially like the spear with the 'diamond' shaped butt.

David

katana · 20th February 2008, 06:39 PM

Spears have arrived, very pleased with the thrusting spear, seems quite old. The other Congo spear is of all iron construction, heavy-ish and plain. I assume that this particular one is another thrusting type. The surface patina suggests great age and use, the entire shaft is forged (not re-bar) I can see no evidence that there were any bindings for a handle. The third spear is a nice light throwing spear with a very nice balance, and a nicely patinated wooden shaft.

Below are some pictures of the two Congo Spears.

I wondered whether the carving on the 'smaller' bulbous area had any significance to tribe or status......or perhaps Talismatic.

Comments / suggestions gratefully received

Regards David

8th February 2008, 12:57 AM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	3 More African Spears ...Congo ?? Hi please could someone tell me the spears origin...I believe from the Congo. Sellers pictures below, interesting handle/spear butt. OAL 57"-58" Thank you Regards David Attached Images

20th February 2008, 06:39 PM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Spears have arrived, very pleased with the thrusting spear, seems quite old. The other Congo spear is of all iron construction, heavy-ish and plain. I assume that this particular one is another thrusting type. The surface patina suggests great age and use, the entire shaft is forged (not re-bar) I can see no evidence that there were any bindings for a handle. The third spear is a nice light throwing spear with a very nice balance, and a nicely patinated wooden shaft. Below are some pictures of the two Congo Spears. I wondered whether the carving on the 'smaller' bulbous area had any significance to tribe or status......or perhaps Talismatic. Comments / suggestions gratefully received Regards David Attached Images

8th February 2008, 12:37 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Nice pieces, David. The one with the bulbous shaft is definitively from Northwestern Congo. These were found amongst several tribes, such as : Ngbandi, Bati, Benge, Poto, Ngombe, Gens d'Eau. Although I must say that the blade of this spear makes me think of another origin (So, Olombo and Lokele from Northeastern Congo). But it could well be that a Northeastern blade found its way to another area. The one with the slender blade looks Eastafrican to me. The third one is a bit of a puzzle. It has a strange blade. Did you buy these pieces ? If so, perhaps you could send some better pics when they arrive.

8th February 2008, 03:58 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Freddy , thank you for the reply.....your excellent knowledge of Congolese weapons has been very helpful The spear with the 'handle'....is this a stabbing type or ceremonial ? Yes I have bought them, once they have arrived I will certainly post better pictures / description. Kind Regards David

8th February 2008, 04:28 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	The one with the 'bulb' is defintively a thrusting spear. These were used to stab through the wicker shield of the opponent. This type of spear always has a very massive spearhead. The blade type of your spear is somewhat different, but I wouldn't be bothered with that. Here are some spear from my collection which have similar shafts. I also added a couple of pics from the book 'Waffen aus Zentral-Afrika' (Weapons from Central Africa) from the Ethnographic Museum in Frankfurt am Main (Germany). You can notice that these have the same 'butt'.

8th February 2008, 07:59 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Thanks for the additional info Freddy, very nice spears....I especially like the spear with the 'diamond' shaped butt. David