Colin,
Thanks for the thoughts. I can see how the spade like tip reminds one of West African axes. I think one key difference which isn't really illustrated here is that the iron shaft is thick and four sided. I don't recall that feature on African axes. I think it was made as a tool and traded and mounted up to the local taste. Does the decoration on the handle look West African? I think the decoration on the blade can be found just about anywhere in the world.
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