Cameroon/Nigerian?

Luc LEFEBVRE · 2nd October 2007, 12:05 AM

To be complete, the page from the Westerdijk book, and the knive I have from this style province.
Luc

fernando · 2nd October 2007, 09:21 PM

Let me post some nonsense.Tolerance from the experts needed here.
Having a look at Waffen aus Zentral-Africa CD (courtesy of Freddy d'Hont), and to what else one can read out there, this piece is definately a throwing knife, or its pattern was borne for such purpose. Used by the ethnic groups Margi or Makatam, is called a Mberembere. The reason for its round edge not being sharp must be due to the fact that these things ceased their field action and became ceremonial adornments. I tryed to read some of the german text in Waffen aus Zentral-Africa with a translation motor, but the results are not so famous. Howver and amazingly i got it that these ( or other ) throwing knives had quite a serious performance, like being possible to be thrown to 100 mts. distance, half of it with accuracy. Thrown at 20 meters they could open ( no better term ) a man. So much for those who tell that throwing knives were made to be symbolic.

Luc LEFEBVRE · 3rd October 2007, 12:16 AM

This kind of weapon is classified in the throwing knife , because at the origin this general F shaped weapon was made to be thrown.But for some models the form and weight as changed and it became a sort of handed weapon.

I have test some TK, the F shaped of this region have a bad performance,an efficiancy range of 20m max.Difficult to have a good flight, after 3 or 4 spinning, the angle, direction and speed change.No chance to get the target.

The people of this country (Mandara mountains) use at first bows and arrows (poisoned), javelins, swords and battleaxes, clubs and sticks.
TK are used for personal protection on journeys and at night, they form part of the attire of the adult male and are also used as dancing ornaments.

Tk of the Congo have better performances.
But I like the shape of these F TK.

Luc

Tim Simmons · 3rd October 2007, 08:21 AM

Luc you are so right these do look fabulous and thanks for the information

. These may not be purpose made assault weapons but a blow from one is probably more than enough to stop a person getting in your way. I think it may be hard for us with such abundant diverse material culture and literate societies to fully appreciate the wonder of these artifacts.

Jim McDougall · 3rd October 2007, 04:55 PM

Luc,
Thank you again for sharing this material, its good to see information on these interesting weapons, and very much appreciated.
Best regards,
Jim

Luc LEFEBVRE · 13th April 2008, 06:00 PM

I've just find one like yours Tim.
Luc

Tim Simmons · 13th April 2008, 08:12 PM

Good for you Luc. Great minds think alike

or something like that

.

2nd October 2007, 12:05 AM	#1
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	To be complete, the page from the Westerdijk book, and the knive I have from this style province. Luc Attached Images

13th April 2008, 06:00 PM	#6
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	I've just find one like yours Tim. Luc Attached Images

2nd October 2007, 09:21 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Let me post some nonsense.Tolerance from the experts needed here. Having a look at Waffen aus Zentral-Africa CD (courtesy of Freddy d'Hont), and to what else one can read out there, this piece is definately a throwing knife, or its pattern was borne for such purpose. Used by the ethnic groups Margi or Makatam, is called a Mberembere. The reason for its round edge not being sharp must be due to the fact that these things ceased their field action and became ceremonial adornments. I tryed to read some of the german text in Waffen aus Zentral-Africa with a translation motor, but the results are not so famous. Howver and amazingly i got it that these ( or other ) throwing knives had quite a serious performance, like being possible to be thrown to 100 mts. distance, half of it with accuracy. Thrown at 20 meters they could open ( no better term ) a man. So much for those who tell that throwing knives were made to be symbolic.

3rd October 2007, 12:16 AM	#3
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	This kind of weapon is classified in the throwing knife , because at the origin this general F shaped weapon was made to be thrown.But for some models the form and weight as changed and it became a sort of handed weapon. I have test some TK, the F shaped of this region have a bad performance,an efficiancy range of 20m max.Difficult to have a good flight, after 3 or 4 spinning, the angle, direction and speed change.No chance to get the target. The people of this country (Mandara mountains) use at first bows and arrows (poisoned), javelins, swords and battleaxes, clubs and sticks. TK are used for personal protection on journeys and at night, they form part of the attire of the adult male and are also used as dancing ornaments. Tk of the Congo have better performances. But I like the shape of these F TK. Luc

3rd October 2007, 08:21 AM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Luc you are so right these do look fabulous and thanks for the information . These may not be purpose made assault weapons but a blow from one is probably more than enough to stop a person getting in your way. I think it may be hard for us with such abundant diverse material culture and literate societies to fully appreciate the wonder of these artifacts.

3rd October 2007, 04:55 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,670	Luc, Thank you again for sharing this material, its good to see information on these interesting weapons, and very much appreciated. Best regards, Jim

13th April 2008, 08:12 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Good for you Luc. Great minds think alike or something like that .