Zulu Short Halbard ?

katana · 16th July 2007, 08:53 PM

Freddy, I certainly like your friends axe and can see why you want it in your collection.

Tim, I see what you mean about influences, the axe you posted is nice, would certainly be welcome in my house

This axe also reinforces my comment about the axe head /spear head being formed in one piece.

Assuming the axe that started the thread is genuinely African, then it must be ceremonial.....which suggests to me there must be more.... if uncommon, then a 'high status' ceremonial piece. But, having said that, I would expect it to be more ornate, perhaps with symbolic designs and more materials used such as brass, ivory etc

Tim Simmons · 16th July 2007, 09:20 PM

Well now we get to splitting hairs. What is wealth? the item in question looks well made the materials may be simple or should I say not expensive to our minds. It could still be a prestige item to a nomadic or semi nomadic community. Even a sedimentary chieftaincy far from the the main man would need regalia. The standard of such things is often an indication as to how close a person may be to the one that has somehow achieved the highest status whether they really know what they are doing or not, and all the others want to be seen as followers .

katana · 16th July 2007, 11:14 PM

Hi Tim,
I totally agree with what you said...I think I have not explained myself properly. What I meant was that, this form of axe, if truely African, is rare. The exclusivity of this style (of axe) would show the high status of the owner without any 'adornment' I think IMHO that this style of axe if it were common, (which clearly it isn't), many 'status groups' would own the 'same styled axe' .So to show higher status it would be decorated or made from materials that would reflect that status.

16th July 2007, 08:53 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Freddy, I certainly like your friends axe and can see why you want it in your collection. Tim, I see what you mean about influences, the axe you posted is nice, would certainly be welcome in my house This axe also reinforces my comment about the axe head /spear head being formed in one piece. Assuming the axe that started the thread is genuinely African, then it must be ceremonial.....which suggests to me there must be more.... if uncommon, then a 'high status' ceremonial piece. But, having said that, I would expect it to be more ornate, perhaps with symbolic designs and more materials used such as brass, ivory etc

16th July 2007, 09:20 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	Well now we get to splitting hairs. What is wealth? the item in question looks well made the materials may be simple or should I say not expensive to our minds. It could still be a prestige item to a nomadic or semi nomadic community. Even a sedimentary chieftaincy far from the the main man would need regalia. The standard of such things is often an indication as to how close a person may be to the one that has somehow achieved the highest status whether they really know what they are doing or not, and all the others want to be seen as followers .

16th July 2007, 11:14 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Tim, I totally agree with what you said...I think I have not explained myself properly. What I meant was that, this form of axe, if truely African, is rare. The exclusivity of this style (of axe) would show the high status of the owner without any 'adornment' I think IMHO that this style of axe if it were common, (which clearly it isn't), many 'status groups' would own the 'same styled axe' .So to show higher status it would be decorated or made from materials that would reflect that status.