A Dinka knobkerrie / spear ??

Lew · 15th July 2008, 06:56 PM

I put a low bid on that one but decided not to go for it. It seems more a status piece than a functional weapon to me.

Lew

katana · 15th July 2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

I put a low bid on that one but decided not to go for it. It seems more a status piece than a functional weapon to me.

Lew

Hi Lew,
I'm inclined to agree....either that or a 'fantasy' piece. The spear head would be a hinderance if used as a club, possibly causing harm to the user. The weighted end of the knobkerrie would probably 'unbalance' its handling as a stabbing spear.

My own inclination is that this is a 'made-up' piece, couldn't find a similar example. I think the money paid was excessive...extremely so, if I am right and this is a 'fantasy marriage'.

Regards David

colin henshaw · 15th July 2008, 08:43 PM

I had kept my eye on this piece...and agree that it probably is a made-up object, as it would not really work as a practical weapon. Possibly made-up sometime after the Battle of Omdurman (1898) for sale to the many British soldiers and administrators that would be then in the Sudan. There would of course have been lots of native weapons and bits of weapons around.

tribalarms · 15th July 2008, 09:26 PM

It is a status / ceremonial piece, but not made up. The oldest dated I have seen was from the 1860's, but I have seen some I would say is earlier. They can have a sharp spearbutt protruding from the club, and coins attached to the head. Been a couple on Ebay during the years.

katana · 15th July 2008, 09:42 PM

Hi Tribalarms,
thanks for your input. Would you have any pictures of this type of ceremonial piece? Do you know whether this particular example is Dinka?

Regards David

tribalarms · 15th July 2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

Hi Tribalarms,
thanks for your input. Would you have any pictures of this type of ceremonial piece? Do you know whether this particular example is Dinka?

Regards David

I have one. I can picture it at occasion.

Lew · 15th July 2008, 10:58 PM

Anything like this one? No knobkerrie end though.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1872

Lew

15th July 2008, 10:58 PM	#7
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Anything like this one? No knobkerrie end though. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1872 Lew Attached Images

15th July 2008, 06:56 PM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	I put a low bid on that one but decided not to go for it. It seems more a status piece than a functional weapon to me. Lew

15th July 2008, 08:43 PM	#3
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	I had kept my eye on this piece...and agree that it probably is a made-up object, as it would not really work as a practical weapon. Possibly made-up sometime after the Battle of Omdurman (1898) for sale to the many British soldiers and administrators that would be then in the Sudan. There would of course have been lots of native weapons and bits of weapons around.

15th July 2008, 09:26 PM	#4
tribalarms Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 26	It is a status / ceremonial piece, but not made up. The oldest dated I have seen was from the 1860's, but I have seen some I would say is earlier. They can have a sharp spearbutt protruding from the club, and coins attached to the head. Been a couple on Ebay during the years.

15th July 2008, 09:42 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Tribalarms, thanks for your input. Would you have any pictures of this type of ceremonial piece? Do you know whether this particular example is Dinka? Regards David