Baggara spear "shalazieh"

colin henshaw · 1st December 2013, 01:59 PM

After a little further research - it seems the Mahdists used the Baggara spear as a symbol on their coinage, as per attached image of a 20 piastre piece.

Interestingly, spears/long lances from the Arabian peninsula area also had a bamboo shaft as did Sudanese examples. I am posting a couple of extracts from "Traditional Crafts of Saudi Arabia" by John Topham, 1982. Wonder if there is a linkage ?

Edster · 1st December 2013, 06:43 PM

Colin,

I think the reeds in question are not "bamboo" as we normally think of them as hard surfaced segmented and usually hollow. Reeds commonly used in riverine Sudan are also segmented, but are solid with straight fiber insides, relatively light, mostly straight, up to two inches in diameter near the base and fairly rigid. Apparently ideal for spear shafts.

When we were in Sudan, my son, being into Taekwando, noticed that fresh cow's tails were stretched over walking/herding/fighting sticks for improved grip. He wanted to use the light but thick reed as a fighting staff, and asked a local butcher to cover a five foot reed with a cow tail. The butcher used five overlapping cow tail segments to match the taper of the tail skin to that of the reed. Applied wet (freshly skinned) they shrink to a very tight fit and reinforce the reed from splitting during impact. It became a formidable weapon.

He experience poses the question: were the reed spear shafts reinforced with cow tail skins to improve their performance? I've never seen evidence of this practice, but my experience is limited. Others may have encountered them.

Regards,
Ed

colin henshaw · 3rd December 2013, 08:34 AM

I havn't seen a cow tail covering on the few Baggara spears that I've come across. However, I've sometimes noticed this on Dinka/Shilluk clubs, but perhaps these were for grip purposes...

Regards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edster

He experience poses the question: were the reed spear shafts reinforced with cow tail skins to improve their performance? I've never seen evidence of this practice, but my experience is limited. Others may have encountered them.

David R · 1st December 2013, 06:47 PM

The hollowed form of the blade on many African spearheads is apparently a by product of using stone/pebble anvils.
Ref.M.J.Swanton 1973
The Spearheads of the Anglo-Saxon Settlements
ISBN 0 903986 01 9
Chap 6
footnote 6
Where this feature is noted and discussed as appearing on both Anglo-Saxon and African spearheads.
I don't normaly bother much with referrences but some people seem to like them.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 2nd December 2013, 09:32 AM

Salaams all... The name of the spear in Arabic is Rhoum. I believe it came from the word for long pointed leaf (Some say it is linked to the city name Rome).. When gunpowder began to take over that weapons role... the name passed to the long rifle also called the Abu Futtilla(the one with the match) or Jezail.

Rhoumi is, thus, the other word for the Arabian muzzle loading rifle.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

1st December 2013, 01:59 PM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	After a little further research - it seems the Mahdists used the Baggara spear as a symbol on their coinage, as per attached image of a 20 piastre piece. Interestingly, spears/long lances from the Arabian peninsula area also had a bamboo shaft as did Sudanese examples. I am posting a couple of extracts from "Traditional Crafts of Saudi Arabia" by John Topham, 1982. Wonder if there is a linkage ? Attached Images

1st December 2013, 06:43 PM	#2
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 411	Colin, I think the reeds in question are not "bamboo" as we normally think of them as hard surfaced segmented and usually hollow. Reeds commonly used in riverine Sudan are also segmented, but are solid with straight fiber insides, relatively light, mostly straight, up to two inches in diameter near the base and fairly rigid. Apparently ideal for spear shafts. When we were in Sudan, my son, being into Taekwando, noticed that fresh cow's tails were stretched over walking/herding/fighting sticks for improved grip. He wanted to use the light but thick reed as a fighting staff, and asked a local butcher to cover a five foot reed with a cow tail. The butcher used five overlapping cow tail segments to match the taper of the tail skin to that of the reed. Applied wet (freshly skinned) they shrink to a very tight fit and reinforce the reed from splitting during impact. It became a formidable weapon. He experience poses the question: were the reed spear shafts reinforced with cow tail skins to improve their performance? I've never seen evidence of this practice, but my experience is limited. Others may have encountered them. Regards, Ed

1st December 2013, 06:47 PM	#4
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,114	The hollowed form of the blade on many African spearheads is apparently a by product of using stone/pebble anvils. Ref.M.J.Swanton 1973 The Spearheads of the Anglo-Saxon Settlements ISBN 0 903986 01 9 Chap 6 footnote 6 Where this feature is noted and discussed as appearing on both Anglo-Saxon and African spearheads. I don't normaly bother much with referrences but some people seem to like them.

2nd December 2013, 09:32 AM	#5
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams all... The name of the spear in Arabic is Rhoum. I believe it came from the word for long pointed leaf (Some say it is linked to the city name Rome).. When gunpowder began to take over that weapons role... the name passed to the long rifle also called the Abu Futtilla(the one with the match) or Jezail. Rhoumi is, thus, the other word for the Arabian muzzle loading rifle. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi.