Short Spear - like an Zulu Iklwa , but not.

katana · 28th April 2010, 05:56 PM

After seeing the sellers pictures, I had assumed that the shaft had been 'cut down' (a common practice with 'bring backs' ) However, on receiving it ...I am almost certain that the shaft was originally this length and that it is possibly used as the Zulu's Iklwa.

The head is socketted and the blade is a very 'flattened' diamond (cross section) Spearhead 'blade' is 34cms long (5cms at the widest point)It is very well tempered and seems more like a sword blade in nature. The edges are sharp with a number of very old nicks.
It seems to me that this spear other than the usual stabbing function also has some cutting abillity ....a 'cut and thrust' spear ?????

It definately handles as a close quarter weapon....OAL 125cms

Some of the engraved decoration seem Congolese, others seem Sudanese

Please has anyone any ideas to origins ....and whether this spear is used as I am suggesting. thank you

Regards David

.

Lew · 28th April 2010, 06:28 PM

Definately not Zulu. I would go with Sudanese or maybe Hausa tribe from Nigeria?

Tim Simmons · 28th April 2010, 08:50 PM

I think I would agree with Lew. The idiot I am, I lost these two spears in a bad swap.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=sahel+spear

Battara · 28th April 2010, 09:29 PM

"The idiot I am, I lost these two spears in a bad swap."

Happens to all of us....

ashoka · 28th April 2010, 09:30 PM

It's probably a Mandinka/Manding spear, I,ve had several similar with the leatherwork typical of the swords, this one probably also had leatherwork along the shaft. So Niger/Chad/Nigeria type area. I,ll post a picture if it would be of interest.

Martin Lubojacky · 28th April 2010, 09:48 PM

I saw similar spearheads like David´s one in North Cameroon and also North Nigeria.Not exactly the same, but very similar. Acc to some local people they vere from Sokoto, acc to another ones from Adamawa. Never with shaft. I will do my best to post photos during the weekend, but the spearheads will not be cleaned.
Martin

Iain · 29th April 2010, 01:57 AM

I'm going to throw in a wild guess of Fuble jaral (stabbing spear), I'm afraid I don't have good documentation for the type (besides a mention in "Notes on the "Bororo Fulbe" or Nomad "Cattle Fulani". Part I, by E. A. Brackenbury © 1924 The Royal African Society."), but having seen the description of the type pop up occasionally, combined with the general Nigerian/Cameroon providence provided by other members I think it's a relatively good stab in the dark.

28th April 2010, 05:56 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Short Spear - like an Zulu Iklwa , but not. After seeing the sellers pictures, I had assumed that the shaft had been 'cut down' (a common practice with 'bring backs' ) However, on receiving it ...I am almost certain that the shaft was originally this length and that it is possibly used as the Zulu's Iklwa. The head is socketted and the blade is a very 'flattened' diamond (cross section) Spearhead 'blade' is 34cms long (5cms at the widest point)It is very well tempered and seems more like a sword blade in nature. The edges are sharp with a number of very old nicks. It seems to me that this spear other than the usual stabbing function also has some cutting abillity ....a 'cut and thrust' spear ????? It definately handles as a close quarter weapon....OAL 125cms Some of the engraved decoration seem Congolese, others seem Sudanese Please has anyone any ideas to origins ....and whether this spear is used as I am suggesting. thank you Regards David . Attached Images

28th April 2010, 06:28 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Definately not Zulu. I would go with Sudanese or maybe Hausa tribe from Nigeria?

28th April 2010, 08:50 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	I think I would agree with Lew. The idiot I am, I lost these two spears in a bad swap. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=sahel+spear

28th April 2010, 09:29 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	"The idiot I am, I lost these two spears in a bad swap." Happens to all of us....

28th April 2010, 09:30 PM	#5
ashoka Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 61	It's probably a Mandinka/Manding spear, I,ve had several similar with the leatherwork typical of the swords, this one probably also had leatherwork along the shaft. So Niger/Chad/Nigeria type area. I,ll post a picture if it would be of interest.

28th April 2010, 09:48 PM	#6
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	I saw similar spearheads like David´s one in North Cameroon and also North Nigeria.Not exactly the same, but very similar. Acc to some local people they vere from Sokoto, acc to another ones from Adamawa. Never with shaft. I will do my best to post photos during the weekend, but the spearheads will not be cleaned. Martin

29th April 2010, 01:57 AM	#7
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	I'm going to throw in a wild guess of Fuble jaral (stabbing spear), I'm afraid I don't have good documentation for the type (besides a mention in "Notes on the "Bororo Fulbe" or Nomad "Cattle Fulani". Part I, by E. A. Brackenbury © 1924 The Royal African Society."), but having seen the description of the type pop up occasionally, combined with the general Nigerian/Cameroon providence provided by other members I think it's a relatively good stab in the dark.