Interesting Saharan/Bornu spear.

Tim Simmons · 18th November 2006, 04:15 PM

Can across this today. 166 cm long. I did not know what to make of the curious grayish surface of the metal. It is not paint. I did think that the metal parts may have been tined as in tining the bit of the old fashioned copper soldering iron. I have studied more closely with my jewelers loop and all I can say is it looks very much like what is left of silver leaf, there is some traces on the wood handle at the edges of the metal sockets. Sadly my camera and I are not competent enough to show this in any detail. The brass addition I have seen other weapons from this area. I will post examples latter as I have to go out shortly.

tom hyle · 18th November 2006, 11:16 PM

interesting surface indeed. Thanks.

Tim Simmons · 19th November 2006, 11:47 AM

These three pieces all have the same element on them. The difficulty is in the east Sahel where does Tuareg or Hausa or Fulani influence begin or end. I think modern borders are really quite meaningless in many cases. How many people were nomadic, semi nomadic and even settled people could well be in one area but be more related to groups in other areas far from them. These three items are surely linked.

I have been asked what my avatar is so here is a picture with this post. A cameo from the Austral or Cook Islands. Approx 55mm dia. I do not think it is a very old piece as it has some file marks but saying that it is not new either.

Freddy · 19th November 2006, 06:32 PM

Nice spear, Tim.

I believe the Tuareg spears were made from one piece of metal. The construction on this one looks a bit like we see with Masai spears : two long pieces of iron and a small wooden shaft.

I especially like the 'copper touch'.

In Christopher Spring's book, African Arms and Armour, there are pictures of Tuareg spears on pages 28 an 29. These seem to be somewhat longer than yours (upto 207 cm).
In the same book, colourplate 7 shows some men of the Bororo tribe (Fulani) of northern Nigeria and southern Niger with Tuareg style weaponry, such as the sword (Takouba) and spear (Allarh). Their spears seem to be much shorter. Perhaps that's a clue as to where your spear comes from.

Tim Simmons · 19th November 2006, 07:27 PM

Freddy I have looked at those pictures, I think they help a little, even if the Fulani chaps have modern versions. The Sahel is a massive strip across the African continent. At one time purloined by the French and British. I would think this spear is from the British controlled regions which would suggest a Fulani origin. I do not think these are Hausa pieces. There again things were traded so they could well have been used by the Tuareg but I do not think they are of western Tuareg origin. Now where is that Manding knife?????

18th November 2006, 04:15 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Interesting Saharan/Bornu spear. Can across this today. 166 cm long. I did not know what to make of the curious grayish surface of the metal. It is not paint. I did think that the metal parts may have been tined as in tining the bit of the old fashioned copper soldering iron. I have studied more closely with my jewelers loop and all I can say is it looks very much like what is left of silver leaf, there is some traces on the wood handle at the edges of the metal sockets. Sadly my camera and I are not competent enough to show this in any detail. The brass addition I have seen other weapons from this area. I will post examples latter as I have to go out shortly.

19th November 2006, 11:47 AM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	These three pieces all have the same element on them. The difficulty is in the east Sahel where does Tuareg or Hausa or Fulani influence begin or end. I think modern borders are really quite meaningless in many cases. How many people were nomadic, semi nomadic and even settled people could well be in one area but be more related to groups in other areas far from them. These three items are surely linked. I have been asked what my avatar is so here is a picture with this post. A cameo from the Austral or Cook Islands. Approx 55mm dia. I do not think it is a very old piece as it has some file marks but saying that it is not new either. Attached Images

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18th November 2006, 11:16 PM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	interesting surface indeed. Thanks.

19th November 2006, 06:32 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Nice spear, Tim. I believe the Tuareg spears were made from one piece of metal. The construction on this one looks a bit like we see with Masai spears : two long pieces of iron and a small wooden shaft. I especially like the 'copper touch'. In Christopher Spring's book, African Arms and Armour, there are pictures of Tuareg spears on pages 28 an 29. These seem to be somewhat longer than yours (upto 207 cm). In the same book, colourplate 7 shows some men of the Bororo tribe (Fulani) of northern Nigeria and southern Niger with Tuareg style weaponry, such as the sword (Takouba) and spear (Allarh). Their spears seem to be much shorter. Perhaps that's a clue as to where your spear comes from.

19th November 2006, 07:27 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Freddy I have looked at those pictures, I think they help a little, even if the Fulani chaps have modern versions. The Sahel is a massive strip across the African continent. At one time purloined by the French and British. I would think this spear is from the British controlled regions which would suggest a Fulani origin. I do not think these are Hausa pieces. There again things were traded so they could well have been used by the Tuareg but I do not think they are of western Tuareg origin. Now where is that Manding knife?????