African spears. Tourist stuff or genuine weapons?

ShayanMirza · 7th January 2007, 11:30 PM

My family tradition holds that this was a lion spear. If it isn't, are there any sources of info on its possible region and background? Is it Maasai? Any info would be grand.

katana · 8th January 2007, 03:37 PM

Hi ShayanMirza,
very nice spear.....although I do not think it is Masai...or at least not a typical Masai spear. AFAIK All their spears have 'spiked' butts yours is flared. Overall the features seem to have a Toureg 'flavour'.....
The length and carved raised section put me in mind of a lance used from horseback......but these are just my observations ...I am sure Tim or Lew are better able to ID this.

Flavio · 8th January 2007, 06:29 PM

It's from Congo i think ngbandi

ShayanMirza · 8th January 2007, 07:15 PM

Thank you both a lot for the info! Congo would make sense, since my grandfather acquired it in Belgium when he was stationed there after WWII. Any info on what the Ngbandi used it for? It does remind me of a lance, but AFAIK there wasn't a major tradition of lancing in that region's warfare. Did the Ngbandi have lion spears?

7th January 2007, 11:30 PM	#1
ShayanMirza Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Charlottesville Posts: 25	My family tradition holds that this was a lion spear. If it isn't, are there any sources of info on its possible region and background? Is it Maasai? Any info would be grand. Attached Images Last edited by ShayanMirza; 7th January 2007 at 11:59 PM.

8th January 2007, 03:37 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi ShayanMirza, very nice spear.....although I do not think it is Masai...or at least not a typical Masai spear. AFAIK All their spears have 'spiked' butts yours is flared. Overall the features seem to have a Toureg 'flavour'..... The length and carved raised section put me in mind of a lance used from horseback......but these are just my observations ...I am sure Tim or Lew are better able to ID this.

8th January 2007, 06:29 PM	#3
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	It's from Congo i think ngbandi

8th January 2007, 07:15 PM	#4
ShayanMirza Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Charlottesville Posts: 25	Thank you both a lot for the info! Congo would make sense, since my grandfather acquired it in Belgium when he was stationed there after WWII. Any info on what the Ngbandi used it for? It does remind me of a lance, but AFAIK there wasn't a major tradition of lancing in that region's warfare. Did the Ngbandi have lion spears?