Identify the origin of hatchet.

rumpel9 · 12th June 2016, 02:32 PM

Hello, everyone.
Please, help me to identify the origin of ritual hatchet. I believe that the place of origin hatchet - Tibet / Nepal / China.
There is another opinion that this subject comes from Africa. I'll be glad to hear your opinion about it.

Tim Simmons · 12th June 2016, 04:07 PM

What is the blade made of? Looks like copper.

rumpel9 · 12th June 2016, 04:19 PM

Yes. You're right, Tim. The blade and the handle part made of copper or copper alloy.

Tim Simmons · 12th June 2016, 05:04 PM

I would say for sure it is African, sub-Saharan most likely Congo. It is nice.

rumpel9 · 12th June 2016, 06:03 PM

Thank you, Tim.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 13th June 2016, 10:46 PM

I think the Indian Bhuj weapon is more akin to your example... see https://www.google.com/search?q=bhuj...utf-8&oe=utf-8 and below

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 13th June 2016, 10:59 PM

Though for origin of species the Chinese and Tibetan forms need to be looked at...and other regions where parallel but unrelated development in aboriginal form needs to be studied...

Do you mean what was the origin of the Hatchet? This is a huge subject and would fill volumes... When did a stone with a hole in it fitted with a piece of wood become an Axe / Hatchet... What was the origin of the North American Indian Hatchet / The Indian axe/ other aboriginal forms...African types???... Its a big subject.

Jim McDougall · 13th June 2016, 11:56 PM

It is often amazing to see the close similarities and gestalt of many weapons of China, India and Africa, and while seeming to have some sort of connection or influence, they actually are quite independent in most cases.

This 'hatchet' is actually more of a 'chopper' and indeed has certain characteristics of the Bhuj of Gujerat and the Malabar choppers.
Meanwhile, in looking at it , I think of Dahomean (Benin) weapons, and the blade reminds me of the hwi. The copper and linear decoration look very African, probably West African.

Thank you Ibrahiim for the plates and illustrations showing the comparisons, which are compelling.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 21st June 2016, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

It is often amazing to see the close similarities and gestalt of many weapons of China, India and Africa, and while seeming to have some sort of connection or influence, they actually are quite independent in most cases.

This 'hatchet' is actually more of a 'chopper' and indeed has certain characteristics of the Bhuj of Gujerat and the Malabar choppers.
Meanwhile, in looking at it , I think of Dahomean (Benin) weapons, and the blade reminds me of the hwi. The copper and linear decoration look very African, probably West African.

Thank you Ibrahiim for the plates and illustrations showing the comparisons, which are compelling.

Thank You Jim for your post....I regret I missed your post as I was out of town... Regards Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

ariel · 21st June 2016, 03:00 PM

Once I got burnt: mistook Dahomean Hwi for something Nepalese based on the hairpin construction of the blade.
Jim saved me :-)))

Apparently both Buttin and Oldman made the same mistake, so I was in a good company.

Yes, I also think this hatchet is Dahomean ( Benin). They were famous for their bronze.

12th June 2016, 02:32 PM	#1
rumpel9 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 68	Identify the origin of hatchet. Hello, everyone. Please, help me to identify the origin of ritual hatchet. I believe that the place of origin hatchet - Tibet / Nepal / China. There is another opinion that this subject comes from Africa. I'll be glad to hear your opinion about it. Attached Images

13th June 2016, 10:46 PM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	I think the Indian Bhuj weapon is more akin to your example... see https://www.google.com/search?q=bhuj...utf-8&oe=utf-8 and below Attached Images

13th June 2016, 10:59 PM	#7
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Though for origin of species the Chinese and Tibetan forms need to be looked at...and other regions where parallel but unrelated development in aboriginal form needs to be studied... Do you mean what was the origin of the Hatchet? This is a huge subject and would fill volumes... When did a stone with a hole in it fitted with a piece of wood become an Axe / Hatchet... What was the origin of the North American Indian Hatchet / The Indian axe/ other aboriginal forms...African types???... Its a big subject. Attached Images

12th June 2016, 04:07 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	What is the blade made of? Looks like copper.

12th June 2016, 04:19 PM	#3
rumpel9 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 68	Yes. You're right, Tim. The blade and the handle part made of copper or copper alloy.

12th June 2016, 05:04 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	I would say for sure it is African, sub-Saharan most likely Congo. It is nice.

12th June 2016, 06:03 PM	#5
rumpel9 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 68	Thank you, Tim.

13th June 2016, 11:56 PM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	It is often amazing to see the close similarities and gestalt of many weapons of China, India and Africa, and while seeming to have some sort of connection or influence, they actually are quite independent in most cases. This 'hatchet' is actually more of a 'chopper' and indeed has certain characteristics of the Bhuj of Gujerat and the Malabar choppers. Meanwhile, in looking at it , I think of Dahomean (Benin) weapons, and the blade reminds me of the hwi. The copper and linear decoration look very African, probably West African. Thank you Ibrahiim for the plates and illustrations showing the comparisons, which are compelling.

21st June 2016, 03:00 PM	#10
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Once I got burnt: mistook Dahomean Hwi for something Nepalese based on the hairpin construction of the blade. Jim saved me :-))) Apparently both Buttin and Oldman made the same mistake, so I was in a good company. Yes, I also think this hatchet is Dahomean ( Benin). They were famous for their bronze.