Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 7th January 2019, 11:13 AM   #1
weapons 27
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 462
Default AFRICAN WEAPON OR SCEPTER for id

can you help me identify this weapon ..
I think it's a parry weapon or a scepter, the blade is not sharp ..
the blade measures 30cm. and the height is 54 cm. she weighs 9oo grams .. I think she comes from northern cameroon (mambila)
have you ever seen this weapon?
Attached Images
      
weapons 27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12th January 2019, 10:06 AM   #2
TomHurstAntiques
Member
 
TomHurstAntiques's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Dorset
Posts: 38
Default

I believed that this is a currency scythe from the Kirdi tribe in Cameroon.
TomHurstAntiques is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16th January 2019, 03:00 PM   #3
weapons 27
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 462
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TomHurstAntiques
I believed that this is a currency scythe from the Kirdi tribe in Cameroon.
thank you
I can not find any photos or documents on this piece
weapons 27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16th January 2019, 04:57 PM   #4
Jim McDougall
Arms Historian
 
Jim McDougall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,719
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by weapons 27
can you help me identify this weapon ..
I think it's a parry weapon or a scepter, the blade is not sharp ..
the blade measures 30cm. and the height is 54 cm. she weighs 9oo grams .. I think she comes from northern cameroon (mambila)
have you ever seen this weapon?

I think you are close to the mark in the term 'scepter' in that these kinds of hafted weapons, while often included in the 'throwing knife' category, are characteristically used as bearing or processional regalia. They are to indicate status or bearing in those instances and in variation can be also in the currency category depending on tribal situations. The 'trombash' of the Mangbetu is one of these status and bearing hafted weapons.


When I look at this one, it seems very much like something derived from ancient Egyptian heiroglyphs. While obviously a free association note, I think of the iconographic figures in processional stance holding these forward.

It is known that many African material culture items and some weapons are compellingly like images on these ancient heiroglyphs and much of the symbolism has been carried into tribal cultures. Even many of the cattle raising tribes in the north have 'brands' reflecting these influences.


While clearly more research into these factors is needed, I thought it might be interesting to bring up these notes for consideration.
Jim McDougall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st January 2019, 01:46 PM   #5
colin henshaw
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,430
Default

With that uniform newish corrosion patina, and the general look of the piece, I have a suspicion this item has been manufactured quite recently. Possibly "made for sale" ?

Sorry to be negative, but of course I could be wrong...
colin henshaw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st January 2019, 11:36 PM   #6
Jim McDougall
Arms Historian
 
Jim McDougall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,719
Default

Here is an image of the Mangbetu 'trombash' I spoke of, which illustrates the scepter manner in which it was used, and perhaps in the same way in the case of this weapon, or the form it is intended to represent.


It was the image of this figure holding this piece in this manner that reminded me of Egyptian hieroglyphs I had seen somewhere (in a book, not in Egypt
Hopefully I can find it.


Colin, with your eye on these things I would be inclined to agree. It seems there are of course a LOT of these kinds of 'arms' made for the souvenir trade.
Attached Images
 
Jim McDougall is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:44 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.