Shi - Hutu sword Rwanda?

Tim Simmons · 3rd November 2007, 09:13 PM

It is interesting how this exotic view has taken such a strong hold, not the first time raised. Just look closely at the blade and one can see this blackness "darkness

" has not been applied or rubbed on.

Matt Splatt · 3rd November 2007, 09:52 PM

Now that you mention it and under closer observation I would tend to agree with you in this case, Tim. I have alot of pieces however that have layers of ancient dried gunk on them. Jean Pierre Hallet wrote about it a bit in Congo Kitabo, I have a copy some where and if I can find it I will relate what he had to say.

Tim Simmons · 3rd November 2007, 10:01 PM

Matt I am sure that many potions were often applied to a great many potent artifacts weapons being one. In the cases we see on weapons like this it is iron scale which incidental also protects against rust but is most probably used in a decorative manner firstly and perhaps to not reflect sun light?

This has nothing to do with the subject but on other weapon sites people often sign off with a ditty so I will say "was it fate that Jackson's second name rhymed so well with b------s"

Bill M · 4th November 2007, 01:30 AM

I am familiar with fetish material that could be a lot of things, most of them organic, blood, milk, dung, chewed betel nuts, palm oil that has dried and gotten "crusty" but this really looks like tar. Perhaps something like paint?

It is not unpleasant and actually adds to the appearance of the blade.

I also wonder how they got such good work with some of the incredibly primitive forges and tools.

Tim Simmons · 4th November 2007, 09:31 AM

I like this black white thing. This seme tip has a small approx 12cm long patch of iron scale as decoration on opposite sides of the blade.

Turn it over and

I really like the hammer marks here I am sure there are left as a decision.

in contrast to this all black Congo spear. The working marks on this remind me of sculping marks in clay.

Bill M · 7th November 2007, 02:55 PM

Pretty sure this is forging scale left on for decoration. I really like the way it looks.

3rd November 2007, 10:01 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	Matt I am sure that many potions were often applied to a great many potent artifacts weapons being one. In the cases we see on weapons like this it is iron scale which incidental also protects against rust but is most probably used in a decorative manner firstly and perhaps to not reflect sun light? This has nothing to do with the subject but on other weapon sites people often sign off with a ditty so I will say "was it fate that Jackson's second name rhymed so well with b------s" Last edited by Tim Simmons; 3rd November 2007 at 10:16 PM.

4th November 2007, 09:31 AM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	I like this black white thing. This seme tip has a small approx 12cm long patch of iron scale as decoration on opposite sides of the blade. Turn it over and I really like the hammer marks here I am sure there are left as a decision. in contrast to this all black Congo spear. The working marks on this remind me of sculping marks in clay. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 4th November 2007 at 09:46 AM.

3rd November 2007, 09:13 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	It is interesting how this exotic view has taken such a strong hold, not the first time raised. Just look closely at the blade and one can see this blackness "darkness " has not been applied or rubbed on.

3rd November 2007, 09:52 PM	#2
Matt Splatt Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 31	Now that you mention it and under closer observation I would tend to agree with you in this case, Tim. I have alot of pieces however that have layers of ancient dried gunk on them. Jean Pierre Hallet wrote about it a bit in Congo Kitabo, I have a copy some where and if I can find it I will relate what he had to say.

4th November 2007, 01:30 AM	#4
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	I am familiar with fetish material that could be a lot of things, most of them organic, blood, milk, dung, chewed betel nuts, palm oil that has dried and gotten "crusty" but this really looks like tar. Perhaps something like paint? It is not unpleasant and actually adds to the appearance of the blade. I also wonder how they got such good work with some of the incredibly primitive forges and tools.

7th November 2007, 02:55 PM	#6
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Pretty sure this is forging scale left on for decoration. I really like the way it looks.