Central? African sword for ID/Comment

Justin · 9th October 2005, 08:47 PM

Ive had this one for awhile,finally got around to taking pics,Im sure someone has seen these before,Im just looking for some general info on it,country of origin/tribe and maybe the name of this type of sword,assuming there is one.

Seller claimed it was brought back from africa in the 1960s,from the looks of it thats probably about when it was made edges arent sharp,so Im assuming its not a 'user' atleast as far as fighting goes.

carlos · 9th October 2005, 11:20 PM

I THINK IS FROM CAMERUN, TIKAR TRIBE. I HAVE ONE SIMILAR, BUT MORE MODERN.

Flavio · 9th October 2005, 11:34 PM

Hello boys. Yes, Carlos, you're right: Tikar (tribe) from Cameroon. Nice both

Justin · 9th October 2005, 11:42 PM

Awesome,thanks! Thats what I needed.

Freddy · 10th October 2005, 09:09 AM

Nice sword, Justin.

Seems to me that the sword could be somewhat older, judging by the nice detail, especially the beautifully forged curls at the tip of the blade.

Definitively Cameroon, could also be from the Bamileke tribe.

The reason why it's not sharpened could be because it's purely ceremonial. Look at it as part of a man's dress.

Justin · 10th October 2005, 02:28 PM

Hi Freddy,

How old do you think it could be? it seems as though someone did a way too agressive cleaning job on the blade so it could just look newer than it is but I always have a hard time with African pieces.

It is definately a forged blade,btw.

Freddy · 11th October 2005, 07:10 PM

Age of an African blade is hard to tell. You must keep in mind that the conditions in some parts of Africa are far from perfect (moisture, etc...). So a weapon from the beginning of the 20th century can be quite old. Most African weapons in museums date from the end of the 19th century. A time when Africa was being 'discovered'. So is this old ? In African terms, yes.
It's no use comparing with, for example, a Japanese katana that can be centuries old.

You say that your sword blade has perhaps been 'overcleaned'. I wouldn't worry about that. Most African weapons we find here in Europe (Belgium) have a kind of dark patina. At first, I thought that this was the way it should be. Until....I read in a book that the warriors in some parts of Central Africa kept their swords and knives highly polished. They took real good care of their weapons, as any good soldier/warrior.

One some weapons (for example : spears) the blades are partially blackened, with polished edges . This was done to embellish the piece.

The quality of forging is something we need to look at more.

Justin · 12th October 2005, 03:09 PM

Thanks Freddy,Ill email you some better pics when I get time maybe they can help.

Thanks again ,guys for the quick and accurate response.

9th October 2005, 08:47 PM	#1
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 175	Central? African sword for ID/Comment Ive had this one for awhile,finally got around to taking pics,Im sure someone has seen these before,Im just looking for some general info on it,country of origin/tribe and maybe the name of this type of sword,assuming there is one. Seller claimed it was brought back from africa in the 1960s,from the looks of it thats probably about when it was made edges arent sharp,so Im assuming its not a 'user' atleast as far as fighting goes. Attached Images

9th October 2005, 11:20 PM	#2
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 737	CAMERUN I THINK IS FROM CAMERUN, TIKAR TRIBE. I HAVE ONE SIMILAR, BUT MORE MODERN. Attached Images

9th October 2005, 11:34 PM	#3
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hello boys. Yes, Carlos, you're right: Tikar (tribe) from Cameroon. Nice both Attached Images

9th October 2005, 11:42 PM	#4
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 175	Awesome,thanks! Thats what I needed.

10th October 2005, 09:09 AM	#5
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Nice sword, Justin. Seems to me that the sword could be somewhat older, judging by the nice detail, especially the beautifully forged curls at the tip of the blade. Definitively Cameroon, could also be from the Bamileke tribe. The reason why it's not sharpened could be because it's purely ceremonial. Look at it as part of a man's dress.

10th October 2005, 02:28 PM	#6
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 175	Hi Freddy, How old do you think it could be? it seems as though someone did a way too agressive cleaning job on the blade so it could just look newer than it is but I always have a hard time with African pieces. It is definately a forged blade,btw.

11th October 2005, 07:10 PM	#7
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Age of an African blade is hard to tell. You must keep in mind that the conditions in some parts of Africa are far from perfect (moisture, etc...). So a weapon from the beginning of the 20th century can be quite old. Most African weapons in museums date from the end of the 19th century. A time when Africa was being 'discovered'. So is this old ? In African terms, yes. It's no use comparing with, for example, a Japanese katana that can be centuries old. You say that your sword blade has perhaps been 'overcleaned'. I wouldn't worry about that. Most African weapons we find here in Europe (Belgium) have a kind of dark patina. At first, I thought that this was the way it should be. Until....I read in a book that the warriors in some parts of Central Africa kept their swords and knives highly polished. They took real good care of their weapons, as any good soldier/warrior. One some weapons (for example : spears) the blades are partially blackened, with polished edges . This was done to embellish the piece. The quality of forging is something we need to look at more.

12th October 2005, 03:09 PM	#8
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 175	Thanks Freddy,Ill email you some better pics when I get time maybe they can help. Thanks again ,guys for the quick and accurate response.