West African? spear

Araña_del_Sol · Today, 05:54 AM

Interesting spear, Wiethase's book "Bows, Arrows and Spears of Africa" has a few depictions of similar spears that suggest a northern Cameroon/northeastern Nigeria origin for this type. These depictions include a partial sketch of a similar spear shown on pg. 479 where it is labeled as a type of "cavalry spear of the Fulbe of Adamaua." On pg. 480 another sketch of a similar spear suggests that it may be of Kanembu (Bornu) origin. Finally, on pg. 482 yet another sketch of a similar spear is labeled as "Nord-Kamerun."

I also have a similar spear in my collection (I'll try to take some pictures for comparison), mine was sold as a "Yoruba" spear. This designation does not seem outside of the realm of possibility given the contact the Yoruba had with the Fulbe, Hausa, and other northern Nigerian/northern Cameroonian people groups but to my knowledge the Yoruba did not have much of a presence in those regions.

- ADS

Today, 05:54 AM	#2
Araña_del_Sol Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 47	Interesting spear, Wiethase's book "Bows, Arrows and Spears of Africa" has a few depictions of similar spears that suggest a northern Cameroon/northeastern Nigeria origin for this type. These depictions include a partial sketch of a similar spear shown on pg. 479 where it is labeled as a type of "cavalry spear of the Fulbe of Adamaua." On pg. 480 another sketch of a similar spear suggests that it may be of Kanembu (Bornu) origin. Finally, on pg. 482 yet another sketch of a similar spear is labeled as "Nord-Kamerun." I also have a similar spear in my collection (I'll try to take some pictures for comparison), mine was sold as a "Yoruba" spear. This designation does not seem outside of the realm of possibility given the contact the Yoruba had with the Fulbe, Hausa, and other northern Nigerian/northern Cameroonian people groups but to my knowledge the Yoruba did not have much of a presence in those regions. - ADS