Interesting Ashanti ceremonial sword?

Andy Stevens · 15th December 2012, 03:04 PM

Hi Jim
Thanks for the reply, this sword has been a real eye opener for us as we see so little from the Ashanti culture in the Uk. We are planning a trip to the Pitt River museum after xmas and will keep an eye out for anything similar. We will update this post as and when we find facts a new. Many thanks!

Jim McDougall · 15th December 2012, 10:49 PM

My pleasure Andy, and honestly I have had little exposure to these as well, so it was great to have this as an objective to learn on the topic. Barry is far better versed on these as he has so much experience with these kinds of esoterica.
I look forward to your updates and as always the interesting items you share here!

All the best,
Jim

VANDOO · 16th December 2012, 06:42 AM

I HAVE SEEN PICTURES OF SWORDS WITH TWO BLADES AS WELL AS AT LEAST ONE WITH 3 BLADES THAT WAS FREE STANDING. UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE NO PICTURES PROBABLY THE SELLER OR AUCTION BLOCKED PICTURES OR PERHAPS THEY WERE IN BOOKS.

HERE ARE TWO PICTURES OF A YORUBA CEREMONIAL SWORD FOR COMPARASON AND ANOTHER SWORD THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE ASANTE BUT IS A BIT DIFFERENT THAN THOSE USED AT CEREMONIES INVOLVING THE KING. PERHAPS SOMEONE MORE FAMILIAR WITH THIS SORT OF SWORD CAN ADD SOME MORE INFORMATION ON THESE INTERESTING AND IMPORTANT ITEMS.

VANDOO · 19th December 2012, 04:09 AM

One of the most important symbolic objects of the Akan (Asante, Fante, Baule,etc.) peoples are the ceremonial swords called "Afena". Some (Numbers 1-3), with white and offerings on them are called an "Okomfo Afena" and were used by shrine priests. They originated as practical weapons, then took on various ideological and ritual roles. Dull blades, sometimes with openwork, show they were not intended to be functional weapons. They usually have a curved iron blade and an ornate hilt shaped like a dumbell, which is sometimes covered with gold leaf.. The specific functions and forms of swords vary from state to state. In general, swords are (or were) used for swearing oaths, as symbols of rank and safe passage, and for display.

---Dan Mato, Professor Emeritus of Art History, The University of Calgary

I CAME ACROSS THIS INFORMATION A SEARCH OF THE NET WILL YEILD MORE INF.

VANDOO · 4th September 2013, 06:00 AM

TWO MORE EXAMPLES, THE FIRST PICTURE LOOKS MORE LIKE AN ASANTE SWORD I AM NOT SURE OF THE OTHER ONE.

Sajen · 4th September 2013, 05:47 PM

This one was sold recently via ebay.

16th December 2012, 06:42 AM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I HAVE SEEN PICTURES OF SWORDS WITH TWO BLADES AS WELL AS AT LEAST ONE WITH 3 BLADES THAT WAS FREE STANDING. UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE NO PICTURES PROBABLY THE SELLER OR AUCTION BLOCKED PICTURES OR PERHAPS THEY WERE IN BOOKS. HERE ARE TWO PICTURES OF A YORUBA CEREMONIAL SWORD FOR COMPARASON AND ANOTHER SWORD THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE ASANTE BUT IS A BIT DIFFERENT THAN THOSE USED AT CEREMONIES INVOLVING THE KING. PERHAPS SOMEONE MORE FAMILIAR WITH THIS SORT OF SWORD CAN ADD SOME MORE INFORMATION ON THESE INTERESTING AND IMPORTANT ITEMS. Attached Images

4th September 2013, 06:00 AM	#5
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	TWO MORE EXAMPLES, THE FIRST PICTURE LOOKS MORE LIKE AN ASANTE SWORD I AM NOT SURE OF THE OTHER ONE. Attached Images Last edited by VANDOO; 4th September 2013 at 06:10 AM.

4th September 2013, 05:47 PM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,562	This one was sold recently via ebay. Attached Images

15th December 2012, 03:04 PM	#1
Andy Stevens Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 155	Hi Jim Thanks for the reply, this sword has been a real eye opener for us as we see so little from the Ashanti culture in the Uk. We are planning a trip to the Pitt River museum after xmas and will keep an eye out for anything similar. We will update this post as and when we find facts a new. Many thanks!

15th December 2012, 10:49 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,785	My pleasure Andy, and honestly I have had little exposure to these as well, so it was great to have this as an objective to learn on the topic. Barry is far better versed on these as he has so much experience with these kinds of esoterica. I look forward to your updates and as always the interesting items you share here! All the best, Jim

19th December 2012, 04:09 AM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	One of the most important symbolic objects of the Akan (Asante, Fante, Baule,etc.) peoples are the ceremonial swords called "Afena". Some (Numbers 1-3), with white and offerings on them are called an "Okomfo Afena" and were used by shrine priests. They originated as practical weapons, then took on various ideological and ritual roles. Dull blades, sometimes with openwork, show they were not intended to be functional weapons. They usually have a curved iron blade and an ornate hilt shaped like a dumbell, which is sometimes covered with gold leaf.. The specific functions and forms of swords vary from state to state. In general, swords are (or were) used for swearing oaths, as symbols of rank and safe passage, and for display. ---Dan Mato, Professor Emeritus of Art History, The University of Calgary I CAME ACROSS THIS INFORMATION A SEARCH OF THE NET WILL YEILD MORE INF.