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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 15
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Howdy, folks.
I'm a way old-time member (like, back when internet rocks were still soft), back home these days to add informational value when I can, and to get help identifying weird whatsits from my own collection. First question up: this 6' spear, one of the weirdest spears I've ever seen. Most probably African. Any further identifications are most welcome! |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Central Valley, California
Posts: 46
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Clearly meant to be some sort of mancatcher, though the central blade makes the person caught somewhat dead as well.
The leather below the lumpy gray materal looks African to me as well. But the lumpy gray material, what is it? It looks cleaner than the rest. Could this be some sort of fantastical composite? I've certainly never seen anything quite like it. |
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,771
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I have something very similar. The spear is not sharp but is real enough. The cast heads makes me think of the Cameroon. I am pretty sure these are souvenirs for travellers, rather than real weapons. Funny thing is even real weapon are brought back by travellers.
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#4 | |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 15
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#5 | |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 15
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Your spear-thing is about the closest I've seen to my spear-thing. They certainly are ceremonial / tourist grade, not at all functional. |
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Central Valley, California
Posts: 46
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If you search for "wonderful multi-bladed African spear" you get a crazy looking thing that is...well, not that similar...previously offered on Ashoka Arts. But it's a spear with multiple points. I'd post photos but they're obviously not mine to post. Anyway that one is ascribed to the Tiv people of Niger. Still, not all that similar.
I'm definitely on board with the idea that the spear in question is a tourist piece. It just doesn't look all that practical nor sturdy. Still, most tourist pieces I've seen bear at least some resemblance to something actual, all the better to sell to passing tourists. |
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 15
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got it -
It's a Bamoun festival spear (local use, not tourist export) from Cameroon. You can see a nearly identical example in this picture from the Nguon Festival. (big guy in white on the right) mine was collected in '97. Last edited by Hal Siegel; 10th August 2020 at 04:39 AM. |
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#8 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,771
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Cool
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#9 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,140
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Hal,
I think the big guy in white is the Sultan of Bamoum. There are some videos on YouTube of the Sultan performing various functions at the festival. Ian |
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#10 | |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 15
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Oooh, Sultan's spear! ![]() Way cool. |
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