Please Help Identify This Spear

texspearchunker · 17th August 2010, 05:14 PM

I was given this spear by a friend who thought it might have been from the Go-Go tribe.

But I'm not too sure it is. The shaft is bamboo. Total length 22" iron point 7.75".

Anyone else have an idea what it was used for, how old, and what tribe.

Thank you very much.

Henk · 19th August 2010, 09:57 AM

Welcome to the forum in the first place.

Bamboo shaft is imho not african but oriental. As far as i know i have never seen bamboo used in african objects. Lets see what our african knowledgeable members bring up. I have also such a weird spear posted with two sumatran spears.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1672

Rick · 19th August 2010, 03:57 PM

I wonder if it's not Cane rather than Bamboo .

Note the long segment of the shaft; wouldn't bamboo have shorter distances between joints ?

katana · 19th August 2010, 06:00 PM

Hi Texspearchucker,
welcome to the forum

There are a number of native species of bamboo that grow in Africa. I have several African spears that are 'boo shafted. Not certain as to the origins of the spear posted though. Seems a little small for an effective weapon, probably a hand held stabber....due to the short shaft...so possibly a hunting spear for small game / killing spear for a trapped (but alive) animal. Usually small spears are considered 'dance spears' but this is not always the case.

Regards David

Tim Simmons · 19th August 2010, 08:36 PM

I might have the sizes all wrong.
Is this an arrow?
I have some East african arrows with large heads also unflethed which is normal. Also seen in melanesia. Not sure about the binding?

katana · 19th August 2010, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I might have the sizes all wrong.
Is this an arrow?
I have some East african arrows with large heads also unflethed which is normal. Also seen in melanesia. Not sure about the binding?

Hi Tim,
I took the 'iron point' at 7.75" to be the spear point/blade .....now I can see that the entire metal work (barbs and shaft) is 7.75" (looking at the scale... ie 1/3 the length )

I agree, an arrow ...probably not that old. Another lesson learnt....don't quickly 'scan' a post....you may draw the wrong conclusions

Kind Regards David

17th August 2010, 05:14 PM	#1
texspearchunker Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2	Please Help Identify This Spear I was given this spear by a friend who thought it might have been from the Go-Go tribe. But I'm not too sure it is. The shaft is bamboo. Total length 22" iron point 7.75". Anyone else have an idea what it was used for, how old, and what tribe. Thank you very much.

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19th August 2010, 09:57 AM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Welcome to the forum in the first place. Bamboo shaft is imho not african but oriental. As far as i know i have never seen bamboo used in african objects. Lets see what our african knowledgeable members bring up. I have also such a weird spear posted with two sumatran spears. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1672

19th August 2010, 03:57 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	I wonder if it's not Cane rather than Bamboo . Note the long segment of the shaft; wouldn't bamboo have shorter distances between joints ?

19th August 2010, 06:00 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Texspearchucker, welcome to the forum There are a number of native species of bamboo that grow in Africa. I have several African spears that are 'boo shafted. Not certain as to the origins of the spear posted though. Seems a little small for an effective weapon, probably a hand held stabber....due to the short shaft...so possibly a hunting spear for small game / killing spear for a trapped (but alive) animal. Usually small spears are considered 'dance spears' but this is not always the case. Regards David

19th August 2010, 08:36 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	I might have the sizes all wrong. Is this an arrow? I have some East african arrows with large heads also unflethed which is normal. Also seen in melanesia. Not sure about the binding?