|
|
|
17th July 2012, 01:52 PM
|
#1 |
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
Posts: 2,928
|
Hi Rumpel,
What are they making them out of> What's the source for the steel? Is it just a guy with a few basic tools and a fire or are they made in little workshops? |
|
|
|
17th July 2012, 01:58 PM
|
#2 | |
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 63
|
Quote:
They're forged in little outdoor ateliers in Bunj suq. Two or three smiths, each with a teenage apprentice or two. Then they're handed to two sheath-makers, one who hammers the metal sheaths together, and one who sews together leather/lizardskin sheaths. They also make fearsome-looking barbed spearheads from (I think) old steel oil drums, though unfortunately i didn't bring one back. Officers tend to carry axes instead of daggers, as a mark of status. I'll dig up some photos. |
|
|
|
|
|
17th July 2012, 03:32 PM
|
#3 | |
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
Posts: 2,928
|
Quote:
VERY Interesting! Those are very reminiscent of Jerz axes. Where's Stu? |
|
|
|
|
|
17th July 2012, 05:33 PM
|
#4 |
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,842
|
Really amazing. This is the stuff that makes being here so addictive. A little scary?
|
|
|
|
|
17th July 2012, 07:29 PM
|
#5 | |
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 63
|
Quote:
The SPLA-N are incredible guys- a confederation of tribal warriors who believe in magic amulets, witchdoctors, sacred rivers and so on. Watching them dance a war dance before wiping out a government garrison was quite something; a western army could roll them up in a day, but I was privileged to observe a traditional African tribal confederation at war before a) missionaries and b) modern technology could wipe them out as a culture. They won't last long, in the same form, but in so far as they still exist they're a magnificent sight. The best of luck to them. Last edited by Rumpel; 18th July 2012 at 09:46 AM. |
|
|
|
|
|
17th July 2012, 07:33 PM
|
#6 |
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Austin, Texas USA
Posts: 257
|
Wonderfully educational post and photos. Thank you.
|
|
|
|
|
17th July 2012, 07:38 PM
|
#7 |
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,842
|
The chaps with the axes. They are officers? Top brass? They follow a traditional form of status axe, also weapon axes. I am very keen on status weapon like objects. Do modern western military still carry swagger sticks and batons?
|
|
|
|
|
17th July 2012, 07:46 PM
|
#8 |
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,842
|
Sorry just read that they are officers. Here is an old 19th century status axe from the same region.
|
|
|
|
|
17th July 2012, 02:17 PM
|
#9 |
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 1,708
|
Very interesting reading and photos. Thanks for posting this.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Hybrid Mode
