Please help what are these?

pholycro · 3rd September 2013, 05:47 AM

Hello All,

I was wondering if anyone could give me any insight on what I have here? I have two spears that were given to me as a boy when i was around 7 years old, and I am 28 now. The man that gave them to be was a friend of my fathers who work for the CIA and traveled all around the world. I think I remember him telling me that they were spears for a pygmy tribe. I have no idea if this is true or not. Any info would be very appreciated.

Thank you, Preston!

Robert · 3rd September 2013, 06:37 PM

Hello Preston,
And welcome to the forum. It would be of great help for those who will be doing the identification of your items if you would post a few pictures of them.

Robert

pholycro · 3rd September 2013, 11:21 PM

Hey Robert,

I am sorry i thought i had attached the pictures already. I hope this helps!

Thanks All, Preston

pholycro · 4th September 2013, 12:07 AM

Hey Robert I posted some pictures. Hope this helps. Sorry, I thought I had already posted them.

kronckew · 4th September 2013, 05:14 AM

are the shafts wood? is there an iron tail spike? the copper heads look a bit thin for actual use. i suspect these are made for those who travel rather than useful tools.

size dimensions would help. could be 1 inch or two metres from the pics as there are no reference points. having a ruler or yardstick (metrestick?) in the picture might be a good idea, like this:

pholycro · 4th September 2013, 06:31 AM

The shafts are made of wood, and the tail spike are made of iron. (If I am right about what tail spikes are?) The length of the spears are about 18-24 inches. I felt the same way about the copper ends. Any idea of where they come from, or if they are real or just for tourist to buy?

Tim Simmons · 4th September 2013, 08:25 AM

These are African. They might be dance spears which could then have been sold or give to a visitor

To me they look as if they come from the Congo or Rwanda? Could be from Southern Africa.

kronckew · 4th September 2013, 09:09 AM

yes, dance spears are a strong possibility. they do seem to be well made.

reminds me of the slightly risque marriage dance in the 1964 movie 'zulu' with michael caine. which was filmed with real zulus, and the real zulu king Mangosuthu Buthelezi played his great grandfather Zulu King Cetshwayo kaMpande.

the dance spears they used in the video clip are about that size, tho not as realistically made.

Congoblades · 4th September 2013, 12:59 PM

Congo or neighboring countries.
touristic, sheet metal, sorry

pholycro · 7th September 2013, 04:25 AM

Thanks, everyone!

3rd September 2013, 05:47 AM	#1
pholycro Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 5	Please help what are these? Hello All, I was wondering if anyone could give me any insight on what I have here? I have two spears that were given to me as a boy when i was around 7 years old, and I am 28 now. The man that gave them to be was a friend of my fathers who work for the CIA and traveled all around the world. I think I remember him telling me that they were spears for a pygmy tribe. I have no idea if this is true or not. Any info would be very appreciated. Thank you, Preston! Attached Images Last edited by pholycro; 3rd September 2013 at 11:19 PM. Reason: add photos

3rd September 2013, 11:21 PM	#3
pholycro Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 5	Robert Hey Robert, I am sorry i thought i had attached the pictures already. I hope this helps! Thanks All, Preston

4th September 2013, 05:14 AM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,186	are the shafts wood? is there an iron tail spike? the copper heads look a bit thin for actual use. i suspect these are made for those who travel rather than useful tools. size dimensions would help. could be 1 inch or two metres from the pics as there are no reference points. having a ruler or yardstick (metrestick?) in the picture might be a good idea, like this: Attached Images

3rd September 2013, 06:37 PM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Preston, And welcome to the forum. It would be of great help for those who will be doing the identification of your items if you would post a few pictures of them. Robert

4th September 2013, 12:07 AM	#4
pholycro Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 5	Hey Robert I posted some pictures. Hope this helps. Sorry, I thought I had already posted them.

4th September 2013, 06:31 AM	#6
pholycro Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 5	The shafts are made of wood, and the tail spike are made of iron. (If I am right about what tail spikes are?) The length of the spears are about 18-24 inches. I felt the same way about the copper ends. Any idea of where they come from, or if they are real or just for tourist to buy?

4th September 2013, 08:25 AM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	These are African. They might be dance spears which could then have been sold or give to a visitor To me they look as if they come from the Congo or Rwanda? Could be from Southern Africa.

4th September 2013, 09:09 AM	#8
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,186	yes, dance spears are a strong possibility. they do seem to be well made. reminds me of the slightly risque marriage dance in the 1964 movie 'zulu' with michael caine. which was filmed with real zulus, and the real zulu king Mangosuthu Buthelezi played his great grandfather Zulu King Cetshwayo kaMpande. the dance spears they used in the video clip are about that size, tho not as realistically made.

4th September 2013, 12:59 PM	#9
Congoblades Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 171	Congo or neighboring countries. touristic, sheet metal, sorry

7th September 2013, 04:25 AM	#10
pholycro Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 5	Thanks, everyone!