Ethno Weapons World Map

[Edster]

Ibrahiim and Dave,

Thanks for your enthusiastic support of the idea. However, I'm a little disappointed that it didn't get more early traction. I'm sure there other visual/spacial thinkers out there. Never mind. Not to worry. We can just get out our atlas, colored pencils and note cards, and begin to create data in a manual format. Once we get a substantial collection we can enter the data into an electronic format.

The more I think of it there should be two layers. One for "in current use"(mainly in the fringes of post-colonial states) and indeed a much larger one that includes "historical use" of items that are largely cultural relics that are of central interest to the Forum including we three.

Geopolitical theory and the Westphalian notion that all areas of the globe should be within the boundaries and subject to the sovereignty of a nation state can help show us where ethnographic weapons are still in use. World maps and national boundaries were drawn on this basis largely during the 18th/19th centuries mostly by Europeans. Fringe areas (and their ethnic groups) of many nations have not always / never been really under the control of the associated central government. Northern Mali, much of central Africa, parts of the Philipines, Afghanistan, the Afar region of Eritrea / Ethiopia, just to name a few, cling to traditional values and weapons and have managed to stay out of the "mainstream". Issues were / are addressed inter-ethnically without the intervention of a national army.

Anyway, lets get started, work at a pace that suits us and check back from time to time via the forum or PM.

Best regards,
Ed