Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

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

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 23rd May 2020, 09:43 AM   #1
kahnjar1
Member
 
kahnjar1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND
Posts: 2,728
Default Two more African Axes for comment

Just received these 2 which I believe are from Tanzania and likely the Nyamwezi people.
They are very similar but slightly different carving on the hafts.
All comments welcome.
Stu
Attached Images
     
kahnjar1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23rd May 2020, 05:00 PM   #2
rickystl
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: St. Louis, MO area.
Posts: 1,621
Default

Hi Stu

Having zero knowledge of central/south African weapons and tools, a question:

What do you think is the reason for the upward curve of the rear portion of the axe blade ? Do you think it would have been sharpened like a knife for different cutting purposes than the axe bit portion ? Just curious.

Rick
rickystl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23rd May 2020, 05:56 PM   #3
Bob A
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 404
Default

Being at least equally ignorant of the subject, I'd say the purpose was twofold: first, it would be suitable for thrusting, in a situation where a swing would be difficult or too time-consuming; and second, it fulfills the needs of the African aesthetic - these are really beautiful designs, after all.
Bob A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23rd May 2020, 09:57 PM   #4
kahnjar1
Member
 
kahnjar1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND
Posts: 2,728
Default

I doubt that the upturned side is designed as a cutting blade as all I have seen are blunt edged and the tips are rounded. Just the style I think.
There are other African axe types which also have a protrusion opposite the blade, which appears to be just the design
Stu
kahnjar1 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 07:50 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.