Shield from Cameroon/Chad
 

I have two shields like this, which come from Northern Cameroon or Chad. They are often described as belonging to the Kirdi tribe, though I don't know if that is accurate!

I have seen an old black and white photo somewhere on the internet of young men holding these shields but I can't find it again. Has anyone else got any information about this photo or the shield?

Thanks!

Marius

IN THE BOOK ON SHIELDS (SHIELDS, BY PRESTEL) ON PAGE 46/47 THERE IS A SHIELD LIKE YOURS. THE BOOK SAYS THE SHIELD PICTURED COMES FROM CAMEROON NORTH PROVENCE, MANDARA MOUNTAINS, THE WANDALA GROUP USED THESE TYPES OF SHIELD THEY WERE MANY DIFFERENT TRIBES IN THAT GROUP AND SOME VARIATION IN THE DESIGNS ON THE SHIELDS FROM GROUP TO GROUP. THE EXAMPLE SHOWN IS 106CM TALL X 72 CM. WIDE.
SMALLER SHIELDS WERE USED FOR FUNERAL DANCES BY THE BANA AND WERE LAST USED IN THE 1980'S BUT ARE NO LONGER USED TODAY. THE GUDUF AND ZULGO TRIBES IN PARTICULAR PAINTED SHIELDS WITH RED OCHRE AND OIL FOR COMERCIAL SALE. I WON'T TRY TO PRODUCE THE ENTIRE ARTICLE ON THEM HERE BUT I WOULD RECOMEND GETTING THE BOOK AS IT IS A GOOD ONE WITH GREAT PICTURES AND INFORMATION. THE EXAMPLES ARE FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF THE BARBIER-MUELLER MUSEUM AND FEATURE SHIELDS FROM AFRICA, SOUTHEAST ASIA, AND OCEANIA. A VERY NICE SHIELD WISH I HAD ONE :) THERE IS A PICTURE OF TWO WARRIORS HOLDING THESE SHIELDS IN THE BOOK.

links & documentation
Luc

http://lulef.free.fr/html/wandala.html

http://lulef.free.fr/html/sara_.html