HELP to identify Nigerian spear blade

[ShakaAmaZulu]

Hello Colin,

Thanks for your help.

Could it be Edo or Yoruba ?

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by ShakaAmaZulu

Could it be Edo or Yoruba ?

I can't really say. The coast of West Africa had contact by European ships early on (15th & 16th centuries), and as far as I know, the inhabitants soon started to use muskets and European type swords and machete weapons. Presumably the Edo and Yoruba used spears prior to that, but I have seen little evidence to refer to.

Your spear could possibly relate to Ogun, the Yoruba "God of Iron" or be a currency spear, but again I can find little direct evidence to support this. Spears with more than one point were often used for magical or religious purposes. There is a monograph by K G Lindblom "Spears and staffs with two or more points in Africa" Stockholm 1937 that may be useful if you can get hold of a copy.

Do you have a reason for thinking your spear could be Edo or Yoruba ? The traditional weapons of the Forest Kingdoms of West Africa is an interesting area, so do post any information/references you have...

Regards.

[ShakaAmaZulu]

Hello Collin,
I've "Spears and staffs with two or more points in Africa" book. The only spear looking like mine is a Tiv one but ...
My only reasons for thinking my spear could be Edo or Yoruba is first my feeling and tis following picture (the spear in the left hand looks like mine). I know it's scarce informations ... :-)