A Dinka knobkerrie / spear ??

colin henshaw · 18th July 2008, 12:52 PM

Looking at this piece again... it seems to be assembled from three separate sources. A probably Shilluk, wooden "mushroom" club, a Baggara spearhead and a croc skin and leather combined handle and loop, of the type to be found on Mahdist maces and those Mahdist pseudo-throwing knives.

It is correct that those mushroom clubs occasionally have spear-butt type ends, they are of a similar construction to those found on Shilluk and Dinka spears (and other tribes in Southern Sudan). I have read somewhere (forget exactly where) that these clubs were sometimes stuck into the ground and used as stools.

The handle/loop on this object would be useless as a practical grip, as the spear edge would cut the bearer's hand or wrist.

Some references would be - Christopher Spring's book on African Weapons, Peter Westerdyjk's study on throwing knives and the Pitt-Rivers Museum Southern Sudan website.

Louisblade's pictured weapon looks like a fine quality Somali spearhead.

Regards and apologies for the extended waffle....

tribalarms · 18th July 2008, 10:08 PM

No need to label it as assembled just as it looks impractical. It may still send out the right message to the initiated.

The spiked "spearbutt" mentioned would be protruding from the clubhead. The blade is still present. I know of several, although it is a very rare weapon.

18th July 2008, 12:52 PM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	Looking at this piece again... it seems to be assembled from three separate sources. A probably Shilluk, wooden "mushroom" club, a Baggara spearhead and a croc skin and leather combined handle and loop, of the type to be found on Mahdist maces and those Mahdist pseudo-throwing knives. It is correct that those mushroom clubs occasionally have spear-butt type ends, they are of a similar construction to those found on Shilluk and Dinka spears (and other tribes in Southern Sudan). I have read somewhere (forget exactly where) that these clubs were sometimes stuck into the ground and used as stools. The handle/loop on this object would be useless as a practical grip, as the spear edge would cut the bearer's hand or wrist. Some references would be - Christopher Spring's book on African Weapons, Peter Westerdyjk's study on throwing knives and the Pitt-Rivers Museum Southern Sudan website. Louisblade's pictured weapon looks like a fine quality Somali spearhead. Regards and apologies for the extended waffle....

18th July 2008, 10:08 PM	#2
tribalarms Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 26	No need to label it as assembled just as it looks impractical. It may still send out the right message to the initiated. The spiked "spearbutt" mentioned would be protruding from the clubhead. The blade is still present. I know of several, although it is a very rare weapon.