South African throwing spear

Freddy · 4th June 2005, 06:24 PM

True, some spear become warped because they are kept upright, standing in a corner. I usually 'hang' my spears, point up. You only need a nail and some rope. This prevents them from bending.

Some Central African spears indeed have bend shafts. I think it all depends on the use of the spear. Ceremonial spears will have thicker, carved shafts. The same can be said about the thrusting spears. Strength is a big issue there. What would a warrior be with a spear that breaks in two when he thrusts at an opponent ?
But for hunting, a simple stick/shaft is enough. I don't think an animal will be killed on the spot when hit by a spear. Most of the time it runs off and is tracked by the hunters until it is too weak and can be finished off. When the spear blade is stuck into its back, the shaft is often lost or broken. Why then bother with a nicely straighened or carved shaft ?

Here are some examples of harpoon and/or throwing spears in the collection of the Frankfurt Museum für Völkerkunde (etnological museum) in Germany. The drawings come from a book published in 1985 and are of examples in the Museum's collection.

The last drawing also shows a Mongo spear.

Look at the way these shafts 'twist'.

tom hyle · 5th June 2005, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddy

Here are some examples of harpoon and/or throwing spears in the collection of the Frankfurt Museum für Völkerkunde (etnological museum) in Germany. The drawings come from a book published in 1985 and are of examples in the Museum's collection.

The last drawing also shows a Mongo spear.

Look at the way these shafts 'twist'.

Actually all but that last one are fairly straight, and may well have been straighter in their using days. I don't think I have ever seen an old African spear handle as wiggly as that one, and would suggest it was not for serious violent use (I would suggest it is a junk shaft put on the blade to sell it to a foreigner, actually, but it could have some other meaning; religious symbolism leaps to mind.). It would really mess with the accuracy and penetration of a throw. Yes, many old spear shafts have a minor bend or two (though the better ones almost all seem to me to have been arrow-straight, so to speak, when new, and I think it is only in treeless or nearly treeless areas that you see the really subpar wood used. It is my understanding that the Mongo do not live in such an area?), but nothing like this.

4th June 2005, 06:24 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	True, some spear become warped because they are kept upright, standing in a corner. I usually 'hang' my spears, point up. You only need a nail and some rope. This prevents them from bending. Some Central African spears indeed have bend shafts. I think it all depends on the use of the spear. Ceremonial spears will have thicker, carved shafts. The same can be said about the thrusting spears. Strength is a big issue there. What would a warrior be with a spear that breaks in two when he thrusts at an opponent ? But for hunting, a simple stick/shaft is enough. I don't think an animal will be killed on the spot when hit by a spear. Most of the time it runs off and is tracked by the hunters until it is too weak and can be finished off. When the spear blade is stuck into its back, the shaft is often lost or broken. Why then bother with a nicely straighened or carved shaft ? Here are some examples of harpoon and/or throwing spears in the collection of the Frankfurt Museum für Völkerkunde (etnological museum) in Germany. The drawings come from a book published in 1985 and are of examples in the Museum's collection. The last drawing also shows a Mongo spear. Look at the way these shafts 'twist'.