West African? spear

[wildwolberine]

Sharing this new addition to my collection. Small, socketed spear blade with decorative elements. The blade is pretty thin and flexible, but overall this seems to show age/wear. The blade is pinned to what’s left of the irregular wood shaft. “Feels” West Africa/western part of the Sahel region. Any input would be appreciated!

[Araña_del_Sol]

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

[wildwolberine]

Originally Posted by Araña_del_Sol

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

Thanks! I went through Wiethase's book and didn’t see anything quite like it. I’ll take another look at the spear you mentioned.