Spearhead.... North African ?

katana · 17th March 2006, 12:10 PM

I have just bought this spearhead, 12" length, the style seems to be North African, I know I have seen this style used on examples of arrow head. It is quite ornate, in that there are diagonal, crosshatching and crosses delicately stamped on the shaft. Surely too ornate for a hunting spear, but too lethal for a ceremonial one? I certainly wouldn't want this thrown at me, those barbs !??!

. Please has anyone any suggestions as to its origins.

Tim Simmons · 17th March 2006, 06:41 PM

Hello katana,

It certainly is North African. I think Nuer from southern Sudan. Here is a good link to the Pitt Rivers museum collection. http://southernsudan.prm.ox.ac.uk/qu...Spear&offset=0

Tim

katana · 17th March 2006, 07:08 PM

Thanks Tim, what an interesting site

, looking at the spears, the closest match I can see, seems to be the Dinka Tuich spear acquired in '79. You suggested the Nuer, I must be missing something (nothing new there).
Although there are no barbs on the Dinka Tuich spear it is quite similar

Tim Simmons · 17th March 2006, 07:54 PM

For all I know "Nuer" may well be part of the Dinka people. The thing is that we are able to indentify the region and people, maybe not the exact sub-group. Tim

katana · 17th March 2006, 08:41 PM

Yes you're right, I am new to African weaponry, and I am becoming more aware of the difficulties in tying weapons with particular tribes/groups. Your help and understanding is greatly appreciated.
In your opinion, is this spearhead an uncommon find or are they generally easily acquired. There appears to be some age evident, as it has a nice patina, but how old... I have no idea.
thanks again

Tim Simmons · 17th March 2006, 09:00 PM

I would be lying if I said they were rare, good examples of the any kind of spear, often considered part of a mans dress not just a weapon are always uncommon. Tim

Luc LEFEBVRE · 20th March 2006, 12:23 AM

In "Waffen aus Zentral-Africa" one is described has maybe Mangbetu.
Luc

Tim Simmons · 20th March 2006, 08:35 AM

Yes looks that way; I believe the Mangbetu also inhabit areas of the sothern Sudan.

17th March 2006, 12:10 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Spearhead.... North African ? I have just bought this spearhead, 12" length, the style seems to be North African, I know I have seen this style used on examples of arrow head. It is quite ornate, in that there are diagonal, crosshatching and crosses delicately stamped on the shaft. Surely too ornate for a hunting spear, but too lethal for a ceremonial one? I certainly wouldn't want this thrown at me, those barbs !??! . Please has anyone any suggestions as to its origins. Attached Images

17th March 2006, 06:41 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Hello katana, It certainly is North African. I think Nuer from southern Sudan. Here is a good link to the Pitt Rivers museum collection. http://southernsudan.prm.ox.ac.uk/qu...Spear&offset=0 Tim Last edited by Tim Simmons; 17th March 2006 at 06:57 PM.

17th March 2006, 07:08 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Thanks Tim, what an interesting site , looking at the spears, the closest match I can see, seems to be the Dinka Tuich spear acquired in '79. You suggested the Nuer, I must be missing something (nothing new there). Although there are no barbs on the Dinka Tuich spear it is quite similar Attached Images Last edited by katana; 17th March 2006 at 07:19 PM.

20th March 2006, 12:23 AM	#7
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	In "Waffen aus Zentral-Africa" one is described has maybe Mangbetu. Luc Attached Images

17th March 2006, 07:54 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	For all I know "Nuer" may well be part of the Dinka people. The thing is that we are able to indentify the region and people, maybe not the exact sub-group. Tim

17th March 2006, 08:41 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Yes you're right, I am new to African weaponry, and I am becoming more aware of the difficulties in tying weapons with particular tribes/groups. Your help and understanding is greatly appreciated. In your opinion, is this spearhead an uncommon find or are they generally easily acquired. There appears to be some age evident, as it has a nice patina, but how old... I have no idea. thanks again

17th March 2006, 09:00 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	I would be lying if I said they were rare, good examples of the any kind of spear, often considered part of a mans dress not just a weapon are always uncommon. Tim

20th March 2006, 08:35 AM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Yes looks that way; I believe the Mangbetu also inhabit areas of the sothern Sudan.