African axes, try out?

Tim Simmons · 4th December 2004, 05:06 PM

This new set up is very smart.If I have done this correctly you should see three axes.The one with the triangular blade,thin section and razor like is south African, but the other two could well come from further north.Any comment wellcomed.Tim[IMG]http://[/IMG]

Freddy · 4th December 2004, 06:44 PM

Why not show more African axes. These weapons are rarely seen on the forum.

First two axes from the Mende-tribe in Sierra Leone :

Second picture is of two Songye axes from Congo

The third pic is my best axe. Again from the Songye tribe. All three these axes have a handle covered in monitor skin. This piece is huge : the cutting edge measures 39 cm. The blade weighs about 2 kgs.
Nice detail are the heads carved in the axe blade. In this case, there are 42 small heads.

Tim, about your axes : the first one is definitively South African (Zulu or Swazi). The others perhaps from the Tschwana (Botswana) or the Mangwato (I've seen an example in the book from Fischer & Zirngibl).

Radu Transylvanicus · 4th December 2004, 07:06 PM

Tim, your first one is a Swazi ,,iseseze,, probably from Nguni , western part of south tip of Africa ( Swaziland or South Africa) ... help a brother out and post a close up of the blade/shaft binding ... Zulus shape their shaft head more or less like a knobkerrie... Some Zulu and Shona carried ones that were somehow (but not quiet) similar ...

Tim Simmons · 4th December 2004, 07:08 PM

Hello Freddy, yes African axes are most interesting and vairied.You have some very nice pieces.I have have yet to find a congo axe at the right price when I have little money.When I do have money,I can never find anything.I think clubs would be another good topic.Tim

Tim Simmons · 4th December 2004, 07:45 PM

[IMG]http://[/IMG] This new way is a lot of fun.The binding and iron insert decoration.I do not know how to get- Hampshire ,England UK, by my name.Tim

wolviex · 4th December 2004, 08:26 PM

Tim!
It's very easy

Under the banner of the Vikingsword forum there is label with quick links. The first one is USER CP, so click, and you're inside. Then, on the left, choose from the menu EDIT PROFILE. When it will be open, go down, and you'll find a label called "ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONS", fill it, and here you are!!

Good luck

Freddy · 5th December 2004, 12:47 PM

Look at this African axe from the Tshokwe-tribe living in Congo and Angola. It has a nice carved head and a forked axe blade.

Tim Simmons · 5th December 2004, 02:37 PM

I like it.

Flavio · 5th December 2004, 05:42 PM

Ah Great Topic!
Here are some of my african axes.
In the first photo are three axes:
a kilonda from Songye (Congo)
an axe from the Pende or Lozi (Congo - Angola)
and the third is an axe probabily from Tanzania

The second photo is about a kasuyu or zappozap Songye or Nsapo axe (Congo). It’s quite similar to the example of Freddy
but it has a minor number of faces (8 in total).
According with C. Spring the number of faces mirrors the rank of the man that carried the axe.

The last axe is another kilonda but made in copper (my favourite!)

About your axes the first seems a mixture between a Sotho axe and a Swazi one. For the others two i’m agree with Freddy.

Freddy · 5th December 2004, 07:40 PM

Nice copper axe. The ones with the copper handle are rare.

I also like the Tanzanian one on the first picture. Axes from Congo are quite common in Belgium. But others.......

Here's a peculiar one. It's again Tshokwe. The blade is made from aluminium. Seems that the smith preferred to use a rare metal (in Congo or Angola, anyway) when he made the piece. For ceremonial use as the blade has no edge.
The name of the former owner is probably on the handle : 'YAMWA'.
It's the first African axe with an aluminium blade I ever saw, so I bought it.

Freddy · 5th December 2004, 07:41 PM

Here's another pic of the handle

Tim Simmons · 5th December 2004, 08:28 PM

What a good topic has developed out of a test.A real pleasure to see the pieces other collectors have.I really like those prestige axes I shall get one some day.I have been preparing pictures of African fighting sticks ,I do not think you could call them clubs.I will post them some time in the coming week.Tim

Jeff D · 5th December 2004, 09:01 PM

Great thread! Any of you have pictures of adas?

Thanks
Jeff

Flavio · 6th December 2004, 06:23 PM

Hello to all, guys,
someone of you have some pictures of
african warriors with axes in hand?
Thank you

Freddy · 7th December 2004, 06:16 PM

I have no pictures of warriors with axes, but a new axe will do, no ?

This one is from the Luba-tribe in Congo. The handle is covered with a thick copper band.

Who's next ?

Tim Simmons · 7th December 2004, 08:30 PM

I am all out of axes except my Sudanese one which I posted some time ago.Tim

Tim Simmons · 7th December 2004, 08:56 PM

Hi , I forgot about this Camerroon curency axe,not being in the same room as the sharp things.We could be getting near to throwing knifes.Tim[IMG]http://[/IMG]

Flavio · 7th December 2004, 10:31 PM

Hi Freddy.
What are the red circles that are looked under the brass tacks?
What kind of material they are made?

VANDOO · 8th December 2004, 04:00 AM

THE FIRST AXE IS FROM THE FANG TRIBE OF GABON, THE SECOND IS FROM THE LUBA TRIBE OF CONGO, THE OTHER THREE ARE VARIATIONS OF THE SONGYE TRIBE OF THE CONGO OFTEN REFERED TO AS A (NA ZAPA ZAP) ,THEY HAVE OLD COPPER COVERED HANDLES AND 2 FACES EACH. THESE EXAMPLES ARE ALL CEREMONIAL, I WILL POST SOME OTHERS WHEN i GET THE CHANCE. ENJOY!

VANDOO · 8th December 2004, 04:54 AM

I COULDN'T GET ONE OF THE SONGYE AXES TO LOAD SO HAD TO TAKE MORE PICTURES. SO i ADDED ANOTHER ONE IT IS ALSO FROM THE CONGO AND CEREMONIAL. IT IS CARVED EBONY WITH TWO LIONS AT THE HEAD AND A MAN AND TWO SNAKES SUPPORTING TWO ELEPHANTS FOR THE HANDLE. (ONE ELEPHANT IS DAMMAGED. WILL GET MORE LATER.

Freddy · 8th December 2004, 07:00 PM

Here are two more axes.

The first is an axe from the Nupe-tribe in Nigeria. It's a big one : length of handle is 58 cm (23,2 inches) and the blade measures 36 cm (14,4 inches).

The second one is a small dance axe used by the following tribes : Chamba, Mumuye, Mambila, Idoma, Montol. All living in the area North Nigeria/Cameroon. Forged in one piece.

Vandoo, about your last axe. I don't think it's from Congo. According to (my humble) opinion it's from Tansania (Luguru and/or Zaramo-tribe).

Tim Simmons · 8th December 2004, 08:36 PM

This does not appear on my PC so I am trying again.A Camerroon curency axe.I seem to be having those red cross problems again.I have no idea how to deal with them.[IMG]http://[/IMG]

Freddy · 8th December 2004, 08:58 PM

Tim, do you see the resemblance between the knobs of the lower part of our all metal axes (your currency axe and my dance axe) ? Both are from the same region, I think.

Freddy · 10th December 2004, 05:35 PM

This is my smallest African axe. The blade only measures 11,5 cm in length, the cutting edge is 2,5 cm wide.
At first, I considered this as an tourist object of little intrest. Nevertheless, this was the first beaded axe I found. Mostly, I find beaded sickle knives.
The origin of these weapons is Ruanda and Burundi, made and/or used by the Tutsi.

In the tribal art magazine 'Tribal' nr. 7, summer edition 2004, I found an intresting article concerning the art of Ruanda and Burundi. Among the items shown in this article were beaded knives, swords, scepters and all kinds of other objects. It seems this was a way for the ruling class to show off.
The article made me look at these beaded objects in a different way.

VANDOO · 22nd October 2005, 03:42 PM

JUST BUMPING THIS ONE UP AS IT GIVES GOOD INFO ON AFRICAN AXES. I ADDED A COUPLE AXE PICTURES ALSO , NOT MY AXES UNFORTUNATELY, BUT NICE EXAMPLES.

VANDOO · 7th January 2006, 01:21 AM

BUMPING THIS ONE UP AGAIN AS THERE IS A NEW AXE QUESTION ON A FANG AXE (SHONA) MY EXAMPLE IS SMALL 9.75 INCH L X 7 7/8 INCH W HEAD. THE HANDLE IS WRAPPED IN COPPER WIRE WITH A COPPER END CAP. THE BLADE IS STEEL WITH SOME DESIGN AND THE EDGES ARE SHARP ESPECIALLY ON THE BEAK PART. I WOULD NOT WANT TO CHOOSE IT FOR A WEAPON BUT I ALSO WOULD NOT WANT ANYONE TO COME AFTER ME WITH IT AS IT COULD DO SOME SERIOUS DAMMAGE. NOTE HOW THE COPPER WIRE IS ATTACHED TO THE BLADE SPUR AND HAMMERED FLAT. SEE PICTURE IN MY PREVIOUS POST ABOVE.

4th December 2004, 05:06 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	African axes, try out? This new set up is very smart.If I have done this correctly you should see three axes.The one with the triangular blade,thin section and razor like is south African, but the other two could well come from further north.Any comment wellcomed.Tim[IMG]http://[/IMG] Attached Images

4th December 2004, 06:44 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	More African axes Why not show more African axes. These weapons are rarely seen on the forum. First two axes from the Mende-tribe in Sierra Leone : Second picture is of two Songye axes from Congo The third pic is my best axe. Again from the Songye tribe. All three these axes have a handle covered in monitor skin. This piece is huge : the cutting edge measures 39 cm. The blade weighs about 2 kgs. Nice detail are the heads carved in the axe blade. In this case, there are 42 small heads. Tim, about your axes : the first one is definitively South African (Zulu or Swazi). The others perhaps from the Tschwana (Botswana) or the Mangwato (I've seen an example in the book from Fischer & Zirngibl).

4th December 2004, 07:45 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	[IMG]http://[/IMG] This new way is a lot of fun.The binding and iron insert decoration.I do not know how to get- Hampshire ,England UK, by my name.Tim Attached Images

4th December 2004, 08:26 PM	#6
wolviex Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Poland, Krakow Posts: 418	Name and informations about user Tim! It's very easy Under the banner of the Vikingsword forum there is label with quick links. The first one is USER CP, so click, and you're inside. Then, on the left, choose from the menu EDIT PROFILE. When it will be open, go down, and you'll find a label called "ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONS", fill it, and here you are!! Good luck

5th December 2004, 12:47 PM	#7
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Here's a nice one Look at this African axe from the Tshokwe-tribe living in Congo and Angola. It has a nice carved head and a forked axe blade.

4th December 2004, 07:06 PM	#3
Radu Transylvanicus Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 2008-2010 Bali, 1998-2008 USA Posts: 271	Tim, your first one is a Swazi ,,iseseze,, probably from Nguni , western part of south tip of Africa ( Swaziland or South Africa) ... help a brother out and post a close up of the blade/shaft binding ... Zulus shape their shaft head more or less like a knobkerrie... Some Zulu and Shona carried ones that were somehow (but not quiet) similar ...

4th December 2004, 07:08 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	Hello Freddy, yes African axes are most interesting and vairied.You have some very nice pieces.I have have yet to find a congo axe at the right price when I have little money.When I do have money,I can never find anything.I think clubs would be another good topic.Tim

5th December 2004, 02:37 PM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	I like it.

5th December 2004, 05:42 PM	#9
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Other african axes Ah Great Topic! Here are some of my african axes. In the first photo are three axes: a kilonda from Songye (Congo) an axe from the Pende or Lozi (Congo - Angola) and the third is an axe probabily from Tanzania The second photo is about a kasuyu or zappozap Songye or Nsapo axe (Congo). It’s quite similar to the example of Freddy but it has a minor number of faces (8 in total). According with C. Spring the number of faces mirrors the rank of the man that carried the axe. The last axe is another kilonda but made in copper (my favourite!) About your axes the first seems a mixture between a Sotho axe and a Swazi one. For the others two i’m agree with Freddy. Attached Images

5th December 2004, 07:40 PM	#10
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Let's continue ! Nice copper axe. The ones with the copper handle are rare. I also like the Tanzanian one on the first picture. Axes from Congo are quite common in Belgium. But others....... Here's a peculiar one. It's again Tshokwe. The blade is made from aluminium. Seems that the smith preferred to use a rare metal (in Congo or Angola, anyway) when he made the piece. For ceremonial use as the blade has no edge. The name of the former owner is probably on the handle : 'YAMWA'. It's the first African axe with an aluminium blade I ever saw, so I bought it.

5th December 2004, 07:41 PM	#11
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Here's another pic of the handle

5th December 2004, 08:28 PM	#12
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	What a good topic has developed out of a test.A real pleasure to see the pieces other collectors have.I really like those prestige axes I shall get one some day.I have been preparing pictures of African fighting sticks ,I do not think you could call them clubs.I will post them some time in the coming week.Tim

5th December 2004, 09:01 PM	#13
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Great thread! Any of you have pictures of adas? Thanks Jeff

6th December 2004, 06:23 PM	#14
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hello to all, guys, someone of you have some pictures of african warriors with axes in hand? Thank you

7th December 2004, 06:16 PM	#15
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	I have no pictures of warriors with axes, but a new axe will do, no ? This one is from the Luba-tribe in Congo. The handle is covered with a thick copper band. Who's next ?

7th December 2004, 08:30 PM	#16
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	I am all out of axes except my Sudanese one which I posted some time ago.Tim

7th December 2004, 08:56 PM	#17
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	Hi , I forgot about this Camerroon curency axe,not being in the same room as the sharp things.We could be getting near to throwing knifes.Tim[IMG]http://[/IMG] Attached Images

7th December 2004, 10:31 PM	#18
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hi Freddy. What are the red circles that are looked under the brass tacks? What kind of material they are made?

8th December 2004, 04:00 AM	#19
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A FEW MORE TO SWEETEN THE POT THE FIRST AXE IS FROM THE FANG TRIBE OF GABON, THE SECOND IS FROM THE LUBA TRIBE OF CONGO, THE OTHER THREE ARE VARIATIONS OF THE SONGYE TRIBE OF THE CONGO OFTEN REFERED TO AS A (NA ZAPA ZAP) ,THEY HAVE OLD COPPER COVERED HANDLES AND 2 FACES EACH. THESE EXAMPLES ARE ALL CEREMONIAL, I WILL POST SOME OTHERS WHEN i GET THE CHANCE. ENJOY! Attached Images Last edited by VANDOO; 8th December 2004 at 04:08 AM. Reason: NEED TO ADD PICTURE

8th December 2004, 04:54 AM	#20
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I COULDN'T GET ONE OF THE SONGYE AXES TO LOAD SO HAD TO TAKE MORE PICTURES. SO i ADDED ANOTHER ONE IT IS ALSO FROM THE CONGO AND CEREMONIAL. IT IS CARVED EBONY WITH TWO LIONS AT THE HEAD AND A MAN AND TWO SNAKES SUPPORTING TWO ELEPHANTS FOR THE HANDLE. (ONE ELEPHANT IS DAMMAGED. WILL GET MORE LATER. Attached Images

8th December 2004, 07:00 PM	#21
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Two more ! Here are two more axes. The first is an axe from the Nupe-tribe in Nigeria. It's a big one : length of handle is 58 cm (23,2 inches) and the blade measures 36 cm (14,4 inches). The second one is a small dance axe used by the following tribes : Chamba, Mumuye, Mambila, Idoma, Montol. All living in the area North Nigeria/Cameroon. Forged in one piece. Vandoo, about your last axe. I don't think it's from Congo. According to (my humble) opinion it's from Tansania (Luguru and/or Zaramo-tribe).

8th December 2004, 08:36 PM	#22
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	This does not appear on my PC so I am trying again.A Camerroon curency axe.I seem to be having those red cross problems again.I have no idea how to deal with them.[IMG]http://[/IMG] Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 8th December 2004 at 08:53 PM.

8th December 2004, 08:58 PM	#23
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Tim, do you see the resemblance between the knobs of the lower part of our all metal axes (your currency axe and my dance axe) ? Both are from the same region, I think.

10th December 2004, 05:35 PM	#24
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	This is my smallest African axe. The blade only measures 11,5 cm in length, the cutting edge is 2,5 cm wide. At first, I considered this as an tourist object of little intrest. Nevertheless, this was the first beaded axe I found. Mostly, I find beaded sickle knives. The origin of these weapons is Ruanda and Burundi, made and/or used by the Tutsi. In the tribal art magazine 'Tribal' nr. 7, summer edition 2004, I found an intresting article concerning the art of Ruanda and Burundi. Among the items shown in this article were beaded knives, swords, scepters and all kinds of other objects. It seems this was a way for the ruling class to show off. The article made me look at these beaded objects in a different way.

22nd October 2005, 03:42 PM	#25
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	JUST BUMPING THIS ONE UP AS IT GIVES GOOD INFO ON AFRICAN AXES. I ADDED A COUPLE AXE PICTURES ALSO , NOT MY AXES UNFORTUNATELY, BUT NICE EXAMPLES. Attached Images

7th January 2006, 01:21 AM	#26
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	BUMPING THIS ONE UP AGAIN AS THERE IS A NEW AXE QUESTION ON A FANG AXE (SHONA) MY EXAMPLE IS SMALL 9.75 INCH L X 7 7/8 INCH W HEAD. THE HANDLE IS WRAPPED IN COPPER WIRE WITH A COPPER END CAP. THE BLADE IS STEEL WITH SOME DESIGN AND THE EDGES ARE SHARP ESPECIALLY ON THE BEAK PART. I WOULD NOT WANT TO CHOOSE IT FOR A WEAPON BUT I ALSO WOULD NOT WANT ANYONE TO COME AFTER ME WITH IT AS IT COULD DO SOME SERIOUS DAMMAGE. NOTE HOW THE COPPER WIRE IS ATTACHED TO THE BLADE SPUR AND HAMMERED FLAT. SEE PICTURE IN MY PREVIOUS POST ABOVE.