HELP to identify Nigerian spear blade

ShakaAmaZulu · 20th December 2021, 08:41 AM

Hello,
Please could you help me to identify this Nigerian spear blade (79 cm) ?
Thanks

Ian · 20th December 2021, 11:53 PM

Hello ShakaAmaZulu.

Welcome to the Forum!

This is not my area of experience, but someone should be along shortly to help you.

Regards,

Ian.

ShakaAmaZulu · 21st December 2021, 10:22 AM

Thanks Ian

Tim Simmons · 22nd December 2021, 01:07 PM

I think this is Cameroonian. I have a spear that has the same features. I will add latter. Here.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=Cameroon

ShakaAmaZulu · 24th December 2021, 05:29 AM

Hi Tilm,

Thanks for your help.

colin henshaw · 24th December 2021, 07:46 AM

Hi ShakaAmaZulu, can you please post an image showing the whole piece. Is there only a spear head, or do you have the entire spear ?

ShakaAmaZulu · 24th December 2021, 08:55 AM

Hi Colin,
I've only the spear head.
Here some more pictures.

colin henshaw · 26th December 2021, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShakaAmaZulu

Hi Colin,
I've only the spear head.
Here some more pictures.

Thanks. There is an image of a spear with a similar profile (images attached), in the book "Illustrated Catalogue of Ethnographical Specimens" (reprint), described as Indian, Sonthal. However, I see the construction differs to yours, which also has a small hole in the socket for a nail attachment to a wooden shaft. This is an African feature.

So, probably a Nigeria or Cameroon attribution is correct. Sorry not to be of more assistance, it looks a well made piece.

ShakaAmaZulu · 26th December 2021, 04:04 PM

Hello Colin,

Thanks for your help.

Could it be Edo or Yoruba ?

colin henshaw · 27th December 2021, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShakaAmaZulu

Could it be Edo or Yoruba ?

I can't really say. The coast of West Africa had contact by European ships early on (15th & 16th centuries), and as far as I know, the inhabitants soon started to use muskets and European type swords and machete weapons. Presumably the Edo and Yoruba used spears prior to that, but I have seen little evidence to refer to.

Your spear could possibly relate to Ogun, the Yoruba "God of Iron" or be a currency spear, but again I can find little direct evidence to support this. Spears with more than one point were often used for magical or religious purposes. There is a monograph by K G Lindblom "Spears and staffs with two or more points in Africa" Stockholm 1937 that may be useful if you can get hold of a copy.

Do you have a reason for thinking your spear could be Edo or Yoruba ? The traditional weapons of the Forest Kingdoms of West Africa is an interesting area, so do post any information/references you have...

Regards.

colin henshaw · 29th December 2021, 07:17 AM

Yes, interesting possibility, so perhaps its an Edo (Kingdom of Benin) piece... If I find any further information I will post it here.

Regards.

ShakaAmaZulu · 1st February 2022, 10:59 AM

Hello, I find these following pictures from Wien Ethnographic museum.
Does it look like very well with my Nigerian blade spear ?

20th December 2021, 08:41 AM	#1
ShakaAmaZulu Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Paris, France Posts: 15	HELP to identify Nigerian spear blade Hello, Please could you help me to identify this Nigerian spear blade (79 cm) ? Thanks Attached Images

24th December 2021, 08:55 AM	#7
ShakaAmaZulu Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Paris, France Posts: 15	Hi Colin, I've only the spear head. Here some more pictures. Attached Images

1st February 2022, 10:59 AM	#12
ShakaAmaZulu Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Paris, France Posts: 15	Hello, I find these following pictures from Wien Ethnographic museum. Does it look like very well with my Nigerian blade spear ? Attached Images

20th December 2021, 11:53 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,336	Hello ShakaAmaZulu. Welcome to the Forum! This is not my area of experience, but someone should be along shortly to help you. Regards, Ian.

21st December 2021, 10:22 AM	#3
ShakaAmaZulu Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Paris, France Posts: 15	Thanks Ian

22nd December 2021, 01:07 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,824	I think this is Cameroonian. I have a spear that has the same features. I will add latter. Here. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=Cameroon

24th December 2021, 05:29 AM	#5
ShakaAmaZulu Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Paris, France Posts: 15	Hi Tilm, Thanks for your help.

24th December 2021, 07:46 AM	#6
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	Hi ShakaAmaZulu, can you please post an image showing the whole piece. Is there only a spear head, or do you have the entire spear ?

26th December 2021, 04:04 PM	#9
ShakaAmaZulu Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Paris, France Posts: 15	Hello Colin, Thanks for your help. Could it be Edo or Yoruba ?

29th December 2021, 07:17 AM	#11
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	Yes, interesting possibility, so perhaps its an Edo (Kingdom of Benin) piece... If I find any further information I will post it here. Regards.