Tanzanian swagger/fighting stick?

katana · 24th July 2006, 11:09 PM

Hi Tim,
I have a similar stick, in a lighter coloured wood. The carving on mine is similar, in that it portrays a kneeling young women with her arms clasp on her stomach. There is good detail in the carving of the head showing elongated ear lobes. The 'domed' head would make a useful striking area.
However, I noticed that the carved end fitted nicely in the hand (hilt style) and thought perhaps it was a walking stick/wooden sword like device? Yours certainly looks older, I try and post some pics soon.

katana · 25th July 2006, 09:34 PM

Here those pictures, my version is about 6 inches longer. I wondered whether the stylised female form has a symbolic, totemic or religious significance? The colour of the wood is much closer to the first picture

spiral · 26th July 2006, 10:59 PM

I think I have these in a book on collecting walking sticks,, Ill see if I can find it.

Spiral

25th July 2006, 09:34 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Here those pictures, my version is about 6 inches longer. I wondered whether the stylised female form has a symbolic, totemic or religious significance? The colour of the wood is much closer to the first picture Attached Images

24th July 2006, 11:09 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Tim, I have a similar stick, in a lighter coloured wood. The carving on mine is similar, in that it portrays a kneeling young women with her arms clasp on her stomach. There is good detail in the carving of the head showing elongated ear lobes. The 'domed' head would make a useful striking area. However, I noticed that the carved end fitted nicely in the hand (hilt style) and thought perhaps it was a walking stick/wooden sword like device? Yours certainly looks older, I try and post some pics soon.

26th July 2006, 10:59 PM	#3
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	I think I have these in a book on collecting walking sticks,, Ill see if I can find it. Spiral