West African? spear

wildwolberine · 3rd November 2024, 01:27 AM

Sharing this new addition to my collection. Small, socketed spear blade with decorative elements. The blade is pretty thin and flexible, but overall this seems to show age/wear. The blade is pinned to what’s left of the irregular wood shaft. “Feels” West Africa/western part of the Sahel region. Any input would be appreciated!

Araña_del_Sol · Today, 05:54 AM

Interesting spear, Wiethase's book "Bows, Arrows and Spears of Africa" has a few depictions of similar spears that suggest a northern Cameroon/northeastern Nigeria origin for this type. These depictions include a partial sketch of a similar spear shown on pg. 479 where it is labeled as a type of "cavalry spear of the Fulbe of Adamaua." On pg. 480 another sketch of a similar spear suggests that it may be of Kanembu (Bornu) origin. Finally, on pg. 482 yet another sketch of a similar spear is labeled as "Nord-Kamerun."

I also have a similar spear in my collection (I'll try to take some pictures for comparison), mine was sold as a "Yoruba" spear. This designation does not seem outside of the realm of possibility given the contact the Yoruba had with the Fulbe, Hausa, and other northern Nigerian/northern Cameroonian people groups but to my knowledge the Yoruba did not have much of a presence in those regions.

- ADS

3rd November 2024, 01:27 AM	#1
wildwolberine Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: San Antonio Posts: 109	West African? spear Sharing this new addition to my collection. Small, socketed spear blade with decorative elements. The blade is pretty thin and flexible, but overall this seems to show age/wear. The blade is pinned to what’s left of the irregular wood shaft. “Feels” West Africa/western part of the Sahel region. Any input would be appreciated! Attached Images

Today, 05:54 AM	#2
Araña_del_Sol Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 47	Interesting spear, Wiethase's book "Bows, Arrows and Spears of Africa" has a few depictions of similar spears that suggest a northern Cameroon/northeastern Nigeria origin for this type. These depictions include a partial sketch of a similar spear shown on pg. 479 where it is labeled as a type of "cavalry spear of the Fulbe of Adamaua." On pg. 480 another sketch of a similar spear suggests that it may be of Kanembu (Bornu) origin. Finally, on pg. 482 yet another sketch of a similar spear is labeled as "Nord-Kamerun." I also have a similar spear in my collection (I'll try to take some pictures for comparison), mine was sold as a "Yoruba" spear. This designation does not seem outside of the realm of possibility given the contact the Yoruba had with the Fulbe, Hausa, and other northern Nigerian/northern Cameroonian people groups but to my knowledge the Yoruba did not have much of a presence in those regions. - ADS