Instant Ethiopian SpearCollection

drac2k · 27th July 2025, 08:52 PM

I recently went to a garage sale and purchased these spears.They were supposedly collected in Ethiopia, mid 20th century and I guess that is probably how old they are.I was surprised that the Ethiopians had bident spears , especially the barbed ones.The spear that I have the most interest in is the one with writing on the crossguard;I'm guessing that it was a religious processional item.
Can anyone confirm this and read the inscription?

werecow · 27th July 2025, 09:00 PM

Reading it is above my paygrade but at least some of the characters do resemble those in the Ge'ez alphabet.

Bob A · 27th July 2025, 11:10 PM

I assume the barbed spears are for fishing. Apparently it's enough of a thing to have multiple websites for piscatory travelers. Who knew?

https://fishingethiopia.com/

wildwolberine · Yesterday, 04:32 AM

Great catch! 🎣

drac2k · Yesterday, 05:00 AM

Thanks to all for your comments.

werecow · Yesterday, 09:03 PM

Just to add, the alphabet pictured above does not include characters that represent syllables. You can find a much more complete version here.

EDIT: Attached image in case the website goes dead.

ausjulius · Yesterday, 10:29 PM

Nece. Yeah those are from Ethiopia. I've got a few heads of this type from an eBay seller from there back in the golden days of ebay

drac2k · Today, 01:04 PM

Thanks for the website werecow; I'll get back to you when I translate the writing on my spear........in about a 100 years, LOL. I think I'll have better luck trying to find an Ethiopian to read the inscription.
I remember the good old days of Ebay myself; my nemesis was Mr.Tincan.We chased each other all over the website for the same items; we cost each other a small fortune.

27th July 2025, 08:52 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,268	Instant Ethiopian SpearCollection I recently went to a garage sale and purchased these spears.They were supposedly collected in Ethiopia, mid 20th century and I guess that is probably how old they are.I was surprised that the Ethiopians had bident spears , especially the barbed ones.The spear that I have the most interest in is the one with writing on the crossguard;I'm guessing that it was a religious processional item. Can anyone confirm this and read the inscription? Attached Images

27th July 2025, 09:00 PM	#2
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 585	Reading it is above my paygrade but at least some of the characters do resemble those in the Ge'ez alphabet. Attached Images

Yesterday, 09:03 PM	#6
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 585	Just to add, the alphabet pictured above does not include characters that represent syllables. You can find a much more complete version here. EDIT: Attached image in case the website goes dead. Attached Images

27th July 2025, 11:10 PM	#3
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 439	I assume the barbed spears are for fishing. Apparently it's enough of a thing to have multiple websites for piscatory travelers. Who knew? https://fishingethiopia.com/

Yesterday, 04:32 AM	#4
wildwolberine Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: San Antonio Posts: 125	Great catch! 🎣

Yesterday, 05:00 AM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,268	Thanks to all for your comments.

Yesterday, 10:29 PM	#7
ausjulius Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: musorian territory Posts: 454	Nece. Yeah those are from Ethiopia. I've got a few heads of this type from an eBay seller from there back in the golden days of ebay

Today, 01:04 PM	#8
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,268	Thanks for the website werecow; I'll get back to you when I translate the writing on my spear........in about a 100 years, LOL. I think I'll have better luck trying to find an Ethiopian to read the inscription. I remember the good old days of Ebay myself; my nemesis was Mr.Tincan.We chased each other all over the website for the same items; we cost each other a small fortune.