Songye axes - different types

[Mefidk]

and the rest of the items

[Mefidk]

Just looking again in Fischer and I see that he describes the heads on the axes as being significant showing an example of one with 52 heads on each side, stating it must have belonged to a powerful person. He also suggests there is normally an equal number of heads on both sides. So it would be interesting to know what other people's experience of this is?

[pindang]

Really cool and interesting pieces, thank you for sharing!!

[Mefidk]

Thanks Pindang

Here is the next set. These are what I think are the typical Songye axes. In size and shaft form they are very similar to the previous set, but the blades are more traditional in form, strengthened along the upper and lower edge by a T-section.
The three of this form that I have range from the rather utilitarian to standard, but there are examples out there with blades with brass inlaid decoration. These seem by and large usable examples and perhaps have a less ceremonial function than the previous set. Axes with this general form seem to occur over the whole Songye range, but there are variations in the details. Apart from the shafts there is little in common with the Nsapo type with the heads.

Decoration on the blade seems to involve holes, moon-shapes, and a kind of snake or rope-like pattern as on these. Rarely you get an inlaid head. Like the other axes monitor or snake skin or copper are often used to cover the shaft, but these also often turn up with no covering as in the example I have. The bottom of the shaft is usually flared, for some reason at some point the flaring has been removed from mine to leave a widened but rounded end.

I think my third example is snake skin, probably some kind of python (ball?). Light spots on a dark background is not very common.

[pindang]

Originally Posted by Mefidk

Thanks Pindang

Here is the next set. These are what I think are the typical Songye axes. In size and shaft form they are very similar to the previous set, but the blades are more traditional in form, strengthened along the upper and lower edge by a T-section.
The three of this form that I have range from the rather utilitarian to standard, but there are examples out there with blades with brass inlaid decoration. These seem by and large usable examples and perhaps have a less ceremonial function than the previous set. Axes with this general form seem to occur over the whole Songye range, but there are variations in the details. Apart from the shafts there is little in common with the Nsapo type with the heads.

Decoration on the blade seems to involve holes, moon-shapes, and a kind of snake or rope-like pattern as on these. Rarely you get an inlaid head. Like the other axes monitor or snake skin or copper are often used to cover the shaft, but these also often turn up with no covering as in the example I have. The bottom of the shaft is usually flared, for some reason at some point the flaring has been removed from mine to leave a widened but rounded end.

I think my third example is snake skin, probably some kind of python (ball?). Light spots on a dark background is not very common.

Mefidk, I just picked up this axe. It’s similar to the first examples you posted. This is my first African piece. It’s pretty cool !

[Mefidk]

Congratulations Pingdang, that is a really nice first axe (or even first African piece). Its a Nsapo axe (they are a subgroup of the Songye). Very nice example of the type with ropelike metalwork and copper covered shaft.
I would say that this blade edge shape is a bit less common than most of the ones I posted, being almost an exact pair to the axe in the second part of first group.
You might want to gently remove the active rust, especially if you live in a damp climate - fine wire wool works wonders.
Btw that black coating on the blade is probably soot - it was used to protect the weapons in the early 20C after they were collected. Its quite common to see these Congo axes looking black.

[Marc M.]

Hi Chris
A late reaction on your songye axes, a great group off axes, as your intrest in African weapons in is reasonable new i recommend buying a bigger house, its a bit addictive. Been collecting for the almost 30 years and my only problem is space , my lovely wife do not want it in the living space so i've got the smalest room in the house (not the toilet). There is a little book about the songye axes , kilonda, both authors are or had been a member off this forum.
A interesting book , i included a foto from the cover and a foto from my songye/ tetela axes.
Best regards
Marc

[pindang]

Originally Posted by Mefidk

Congratulations Pingdang, that is a really nice first axe (or even first African piece). Its a Nsapo axe (they are a subgroup of the Songye). Very nice example of the type with ropelike metalwork and copper covered shaft.
I would say that this blade edge shape is a bit less common than most of the ones I posted, being almost an exact pair to the axe in the second part of first group.
You might want to gently remove the active rust, especially if you live in a damp climate - fine wire wool works wonders.
Btw that black coating on the blade is probably soot - it was used to protect the weapons in the early 20C after they were collected. Its quite common to see these Congo axes looking black.

Thank you so much for the info and the tips sir, have a great weekend!