Weapons of warriors from Omo river

[Tim Simmons]

This is good region for discussion. Many members will be able to post pictures of weapons used in this area. I have a few example from these lands. Again this is an area that has a shared material culture. So it is not always possible to say that a weapon is exclusive to one group of people over a vast region. I will try to post some pictures over the weekend. This link is a good source of information on this region.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilemi_Triangle

[KraVseR]

OK, I'm waiting

[Tim Simmons]

This link is worth exploring. You can click on the map or people names. All these regions border Ethiopia; Blue Nile, Upper Nile, Jonglei, and Eastern Equatoria in the disputed Ilemi Triangle. Traditional material culture and weaponry will be similar in this region. You have to remember that the borders between the tribal peoples in the Ilemi Triangle are modern colonial lines on the map.

http://southernsudan.prm.ox.ac.uk/sudan_map.php

[KraVseR]

Thanks, great link!

[Tim Simmons]

Before I go on I will mention that there is a Czech member who is very well informed about this region.

Here is my small collection of items from the region. You will no doubt find examples attributed to this or that tribe. However the same forms would be found among Nilotes inhabiting what is today South Western Ethiopia.

[Tim Simmons]

I am adding this item as a reply. I no longer collect knives or swords unless they are truly unusual or rare, or obviously to good a bargain to miss. This piece is quite possibly Nilotic certainly East African. I form the opinion of Nilotic by the small detail at the distal of the blade. A small matter but I think it points to similar marks found on Nilotic throwing knives. Many colonial powers meddled in Ethiopia from the latter part of the 19th century. The inspiration for this weapon could have been from any of those powers forces. I also have a few spears very much like those in this picture from "African Arms And Armour, Christopher Spring British Museum Press" They awkward to move hence the picture.

[KraVseR]

Thanks you. But what about the names of this weapons? Simply shield, club, axe? Or is there a special term?

[KraVseR]

And one more question: they used the bow? And what firearms they use in XIX - early XX century?
Today this warriors use AK-47, Mossin rifle, SKS and MG-3.

[Aleksey]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I am adding this item as a reply. I no longer collect knives or swords unless they are truly unusual or rare, or obviously to good a bargain to miss. This piece is quite possibly Nilotic certainly East African. I form the opinion of Nilotic by the small detail at the distal of the blade. A small matter but I think it points to similar marks found on Nilotic throwing knives. Many colonial powers meddled in Ethiopia from the latter part of the 19th century. The inspiration for this weapon could have been from any of those powers forces.

For me it seems as usage of old Chinese blade of zhibeidao-like sword and Chinese curved hilt (even the pommel and ferrule seem to be of fanshi style). The marking could be added later, in the process of existence of the weapon among Nilotic tribesmen.

Could they use old Chinese blades?

According to my experience in China you may find old European-made machetes like the one on the picture of warrior on the first posting here. Why do not assume the vise versa situation?

[Tim Simmons]

Interesting idea, but was China a blade exporter at the late 19th early 20th century? That is a period of economic weakness?