HELP to identify Nigerian spear blade

ShakaAmaZulu · 20th December 2021, 08:41 AM

Hello,
Please could you help me to identify this Nigerian spear blade (79 cm) ?
Thanks

Ian · 20th December 2021, 11:53 PM

Hello ShakaAmaZulu.

Welcome to the Forum!

This is not my area of experience, but someone should be along shortly to help you.

Regards,

Ian.

ShakaAmaZulu · 21st December 2021, 10:22 AM

Thanks Ian

Tim Simmons · 22nd December 2021, 01:07 PM

I think this is Cameroonian. I have a spear that has the same features. I will add latter. Here.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=Cameroon

ShakaAmaZulu · 24th December 2021, 05:29 AM

Hi Tilm,

Thanks for your help.

colin henshaw · 24th December 2021, 07:46 AM

Hi ShakaAmaZulu, can you please post an image showing the whole piece. Is there only a spear head, or do you have the entire spear ?

ShakaAmaZulu · 24th December 2021, 08:55 AM

Hi Colin,
I've only the spear head.
Here some more pictures.

colin henshaw · 26th December 2021, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShakaAmaZulu

Hi Colin,
I've only the spear head.
Here some more pictures.

Thanks. There is an image of a spear with a similar profile (images attached), in the book "Illustrated Catalogue of Ethnographical Specimens" (reprint), described as Indian, Sonthal. However, I see the construction differs to yours, which also has a small hole in the socket for a nail attachment to a wooden shaft. This is an African feature.

So, probably a Nigeria or Cameroon attribution is correct. Sorry not to be of more assistance, it looks a well made piece.

ShakaAmaZulu · 26th December 2021, 04:04 PM

Hello Colin,

Thanks for your help.

Could it be Edo or Yoruba ?

colin henshaw · 27th December 2021, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShakaAmaZulu

Could it be Edo or Yoruba ?

I can't really say. The coast of West Africa had contact by European ships early on (15th & 16th centuries), and as far as I know, the inhabitants soon started to use muskets and European type swords and machete weapons. Presumably the Edo and Yoruba used spears prior to that, but I have seen little evidence to refer to.

Your spear could possibly relate to Ogun, the Yoruba "God of Iron" or be a currency spear, but again I can find little direct evidence to support this. Spears with more than one point were often used for magical or religious purposes. There is a monograph by K G Lindblom "Spears and staffs with two or more points in Africa" Stockholm 1937 that may be useful if you can get hold of a copy.

Do you have a reason for thinking your spear could be Edo or Yoruba ? The traditional weapons of the Forest Kingdoms of West Africa is an interesting area, so do post any information/references you have...

Regards.

ShakaAmaZulu · 28th December 2021, 08:45 PM

Hello Collin,
I've "Spears and staffs with two or more points in Africa" book. The only spear looking like mine is a Tiv one but ...
My only reasons for thinking my spear could be Edo or Yoruba is first my feeling and tis following picture (the spear in the left hand looks like mine). I know it's scarce informations ... :-)

colin henshaw · 29th December 2021, 07:17 AM

Yes, interesting possibility, so perhaps its an Edo (Kingdom of Benin) piece... If I find any further information I will post it here.

Regards.

ShakaAmaZulu · 1st February 2022, 10:59 AM

Hello, I find these following pictures from Wien Ethnographic museum.
Does it look like very well with my Nigerian blade spear ?

20th December 2021, 08:41 AM	#1
ShakaAmaZulu Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Paris, France Posts: 15	HELP to identify Nigerian spear blade Hello, Please could you help me to identify this Nigerian spear blade (79 cm) ? Thanks Attached Images

24th December 2021, 08:55 AM	#7
ShakaAmaZulu Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Paris, France Posts: 15	Hi Colin, I've only the spear head. Here some more pictures. Attached Images

28th December 2021, 08:45 PM	#11
ShakaAmaZulu Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Paris, France Posts: 15	Hello Collin, I've "Spears and staffs with two or more points in Africa" book. The only spear looking like mine is a Tiv one but ... My only reasons for thinking my spear could be Edo or Yoruba is first my feeling and tis following picture (the spear in the left hand looks like mine). I know it's scarce informations ... :-) Attached Images

1st February 2022, 10:59 AM	#13
ShakaAmaZulu Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Paris, France Posts: 15	Hello, I find these following pictures from Wien Ethnographic museum. Does it look like very well with my Nigerian blade spear ? Attached Images

20th December 2021, 11:53 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,197	Hello ShakaAmaZulu. Welcome to the Forum! This is not my area of experience, but someone should be along shortly to help you. Regards, Ian.

21st December 2021, 10:22 AM	#3
ShakaAmaZulu Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Paris, France Posts: 15	Thanks Ian

22nd December 2021, 01:07 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	I think this is Cameroonian. I have a spear that has the same features. I will add latter. Here. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=Cameroon

24th December 2021, 05:29 AM	#5
ShakaAmaZulu Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Paris, France Posts: 15	Hi Tilm, Thanks for your help.

24th December 2021, 07:46 AM	#6
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Hi ShakaAmaZulu, can you please post an image showing the whole piece. Is there only a spear head, or do you have the entire spear ?

26th December 2021, 04:04 PM	#9
ShakaAmaZulu Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Paris, France Posts: 15	Hello Colin, Thanks for your help. Could it be Edo or Yoruba ?

29th December 2021, 07:17 AM	#12
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Yes, interesting possibility, so perhaps its an Edo (Kingdom of Benin) piece... If I find any further information I will post it here. Regards.