Sudanese Fighting Sticks
Most rural Sudanese (at least in the mid-1980s) carry curved hardwood sticks to aid in herding, as a self-defence device, something to lean on while resting or to hold up a cloth to protect one from the sun. Similiar sticks were the precursor of the sword. Sticks are also useful in battle with mounted troops. A stick slung into a horse's or camel's legs is likely to bring it down.
The stick at the top of the photo below has a cow's tail skin shrunk-fit as a grip. Some small nails were driven into the tip to reinforce. My son who was into Tae Quon Do at the time and had a bamboo staff covered with fresh cow's tail skins. When the tails had dried and shrunk, the result was a first class fighting staff; light and very strong. No doubt others have made similiar weapons in their own ethnogrphic context.
The bottom stick has a more sophisticated design. It has an airfoil shape and is said to be very accurate in skilled hands.
The spear head in the center was a common design in Central Sudan. The shaft has been cut in half to fit a shipping sack.
Does anyone else have experiences with similiar sticks?
Best,
Edster
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