African Basakomo or Baka Shield

drac2k · 1st March 2026, 07:14 PM

Not quite sure what I have here;the closest that I could come up with is Basakomo or Baka, It is a very large, heavy, & well constructed shiels;it measures 30" in diameter.

Sajen · 1st March 2026, 07:55 PM

Have you taken in consideration that it could be a Sumba tamua shield?

Attached are pics from my own tamua. Diameter approx. 67 cm.

drac2k · 1st March 2026, 08:17 PM

Not until you mentioned it, lol.You nailed it again Sajen! I thought it to be African ,even though the hand holds on the shield didn't strike me as typical African. I had thoght about taking it to Baltimore, but now thanks to you, I'm keeping it;so much about getting older and letting some things go!
Are all of these shields this large;I imagine that it is made from Water Buffalo hide?

Sajen · 1st March 2026, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

Not until you mentioned it, lol.You nailed it again Sajen! I thought it to be African ,even though the hand holds on the shield didn't strike me as typical African. I had thoght about taking it to Baltimore, but now thanks to you, I'm keeping it;so much about getting older and letting some things go!
Are all of these shields this large;I imagine that it is made from Water Buffalo hide?

Hi David,

Yes, these Sumba shields are always large so far I know. In "Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago" are pictured three examples, 52, 66,5 and again 66,5 cm diameter. And yes, they are made from water buffalo hide. And they are fairly rare.
Here you can see a few more examples: https://www.artoftheancestors.com/bl...-janet-hoskins

Regards,
Detlef

drac2k · 3rd March 2026, 03:24 AM

Thank you for the excellent pictures and the article. I noticed that all of the shields have a central sun or star with 9 rays; what is the significance of this ;9 tribes,nine deities,etc.?
Also, did the Sumba practice sea piracy like the Dyaks?

Sajen · 3rd March 2026, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

Thank you for the excellent pictures and the article. I noticed that all of the shields have a central sun or star with 9 rays; what is the significance of this ;9 tribes,nine deities,etc.?
Also, did the Sumba practice sea piracy like the Dyaks?

Your shield has a sun or star with 10 rays!? I don't think that there is any significance to this. And I don't think that they had any sea piracery, they are, so far I know horse riders.

Regards,
Detlef

1st March 2026, 07:14 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,319	African Basakomo or Baka Shield Not quite sure what I have here;the closest that I could come up with is Basakomo or Baka, It is a very large, heavy, & well constructed shiels;it measures 30" in diameter. Attached Images

1st March 2026, 07:55 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,642	Have you taken in consideration that it could be a Sumba tamua shield? Attached are pics from my own tamua. Diameter approx. 67 cm. Attached Images

1st March 2026, 08:17 PM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,319	Not until you mentioned it, lol.You nailed it again Sajen! I thought it to be African ,even though the hand holds on the shield didn't strike me as typical African. I had thoght about taking it to Baltimore, but now thanks to you, I'm keeping it;so much about getting older and letting some things go! Are all of these shields this large;I imagine that it is made from Water Buffalo hide?

3rd March 2026, 03:24 AM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,319	Thank you for the excellent pictures and the article. I noticed that all of the shields have a central sun or star with 9 rays; what is the significance of this ;9 tribes,nine deities,etc.? Also, did the Sumba practice sea piracy like the Dyaks?