Nigerian round leather shields

Iain · 22nd April 2011, 12:37 AM

Martin,

I need to scan the images for you. They are from a variety of tribes in Bauchi but aren't really good matches for your shields. Still they can be interesting. I will try to scan them tomorrow. I need to also look in through my image archive for some other shields in the area.

Tim,

Cameroon doesn't really apply as a tribal and ethnic barrier, you find the same groups on both sides of the border. So yes, this style of shield should probably be more or less applicable, although as I'm not sure of the exact attribution of your sword it's hard to say if there is a more exact match. I'd suggest reading up on the Benue area kingdoms (there were several) and their relationships to the Hausa and Fulani states for a better understanding of the linked nature of many of these kingdoms and the resulting cross over in arms and armor. A lot of diffusion likely happened in the aftermath of the Fulani Jihad. I have seen Hausa and Wandala (Mandara) shields in almost precisely the same style.

Martin Lubojacky · 22nd April 2011, 10:12 AM

Thank you Tim and Iain,

Tim, your short sword is nice and interesting, I bought simmilar a few years ago throuhgh eBay (they stamped it as Chad, but this Maiduguri - Maroua - N´Djamena area I think it is one cultural zoe in three states...). But my feeling is - to this kind of shield it would need something heavier
Regards,
Martin

Iain · 22nd April 2011, 01:14 PM

Personally I think these heavy shields were paired with spears for the vast majority of fighters. Few men would be likely to carry swords and those that did were often mounted and did always carry shields (if they were heavy cavalry and in the model of Bornu etc).

I am attaching a number of photos.

First peoples from Bauchi state, all photos taken from African Knights by Cairns. My scanner wasn't working so I had to snap these with a camera, however the original image quality was not great in the book so you aren't loosing all that much.

[EDIT: for some reason the forum reversed my picture order - 1 is at the bottom etc.)

1. Irigwe horsemen on the left, Berom with greaves on the right.

2. Jawa (Jarawa) with shield.

3. On right sketch of Musgum reed shield, on left Kuru warrior, Berom tribe, shield made from strips of palm bark.

4. Borom (Kanam) shield of elephant ear.

5. Berom chief.

The rest are photos I had archived I'm not sure of the original source except that they were online.

6. Hausa shield.

Iain · 22nd April 2011, 01:16 PM

7. Kirdi/Makatam shield.

8. Wandala/Mandara shield.

Martin Lubojacky · 22nd April 2011, 04:35 PM

Iain, thanks for photos !
I have been trying to find the Berom short sword (the one with brass discs on the scabbard) 3 years already - but still no result
Regards
Martin

Iain · 25th April 2011, 07:38 PM

Hi Martin,

To be honest I've never even seen a good photo of a whole Berom sword. If you know of one, or a good illustration I'd be interested to see how the hilt and blades look in more detail.

Best,

Iain

Martin Lubojacky · 26th April 2011, 11:41 AM

Hi Iain,
I have been seeking for this sword, but it seems to be very difficult to find it.
Regards,
Martin

22nd April 2011, 01:14 PM	#3
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	Personally I think these heavy shields were paired with spears for the vast majority of fighters. Few men would be likely to carry swords and those that did were often mounted and did always carry shields (if they were heavy cavalry and in the model of Bornu etc). I am attaching a number of photos. First peoples from Bauchi state, all photos taken from African Knights by Cairns. My scanner wasn't working so I had to snap these with a camera, however the original image quality was not great in the book so you aren't loosing all that much. [EDIT: for some reason the forum reversed my picture order - 1 is at the bottom etc.) 1. Irigwe horsemen on the left, Berom with greaves on the right. 2. Jawa (Jarawa) with shield. 3. On right sketch of Musgum reed shield, on left Kuru warrior, Berom tribe, shield made from strips of palm bark. 4. Borom (Kanam) shield of elephant ear. 5. Berom chief. The rest are photos I had archived I'm not sure of the original source except that they were online. 6. Hausa shield. Attached Images Last edited by Iain; 22nd April 2011 at 01:26 PM.

22nd April 2011, 01:16 PM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	7. Kirdi/Makatam shield. 8. Wandala/Mandara shield. Attached Images

22nd April 2011, 12:37 AM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	Martin, I need to scan the images for you. They are from a variety of tribes in Bauchi but aren't really good matches for your shields. Still they can be interesting. I will try to scan them tomorrow. I need to also look in through my image archive for some other shields in the area. Tim, Cameroon doesn't really apply as a tribal and ethnic barrier, you find the same groups on both sides of the border. So yes, this style of shield should probably be more or less applicable, although as I'm not sure of the exact attribution of your sword it's hard to say if there is a more exact match. I'd suggest reading up on the Benue area kingdoms (there were several) and their relationships to the Hausa and Fulani states for a better understanding of the linked nature of many of these kingdoms and the resulting cross over in arms and armor. A lot of diffusion likely happened in the aftermath of the Fulani Jihad. I have seen Hausa and Wandala (Mandara) shields in almost precisely the same style.

22nd April 2011, 10:12 AM	#2
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 845	Thank you Tim and Iain, Tim, your short sword is nice and interesting, I bought simmilar a few years ago throuhgh eBay (they stamped it as Chad, but this Maiduguri - Maroua - N´Djamena area I think it is one cultural zoe in three states...). But my feeling is - to this kind of shield it would need something heavier Regards, Martin

22nd April 2011, 04:35 PM	#5
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 845	Iain, thanks for photos ! I have been trying to find the Berom short sword (the one with brass discs on the scabbard) 3 years already - but still no result Regards Martin

25th April 2011, 07:38 PM	#6
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	Hi Martin, To be honest I've never even seen a good photo of a whole Berom sword. If you know of one, or a good illustration I'd be interested to see how the hilt and blades look in more detail. Best, Iain

26th April 2011, 11:41 AM	#7
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 845	Hi Iain, I have been seeking for this sword, but it seems to be very difficult to find it. Regards, Martin