Pair of East African Throwing Short Spears

Published by Nevan O Shaughnessy on September 12, 2017September 12, 2017

Pair of East African Throwing Short Spears.

Presenting a Vintage Mid 20C Pair of East African Throwing Short Spears.

Made of iron and wood and covered in traditional animal fur (probably antelope).

Probably made in Sudan or Kenya in the 1950’s.

The spear end is hammered iron attached to a wooden pole with strapping and a twisted and tapering iron end section, for weight and balance.

Not an identical pair…..each is ever so slightly different in length, shape and design…..clearly indicating that these were HAND-MADE pieces. Crafted individually but sold as a pair.

BEAUTIFUL AND HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE DECORATIVE PIECES OF AFRICAN ARMORY !

An assegai or assagai (Latin hasta, ^[1]cf Arabic az-zaġāyah, Berber zaġāya “spear”, Old French azagaie, Spanish azagaya, Italian zagaglia, Chaucer lancegay)^[2] is a pole weapon used for throwing, usually a light spear or javelin made of wood and pointed with iron or fire-hardened tip.
The use of various types of the assegai was widespread all over Africa and it was the most common weapon used before the introduction of firearms. The Zulu and other Nguni tribes of South Africa were renowned for their use of the assegai.
Shaka of the Zulu invented a shorter-style spear with a two-foot shaft and which had a larger, broader blade one foot long. This weapon is otherwise known as the iklwa or ixwa, after the sound that was heard as it was withdrawn from the victim’s wound.^[3]^[4] It was used as a stabbing weapon during mêlée attacks. The traditional spear was not discarded but was used for a softening range attack on enemy formations before closing in for close quarters battle with the iklwa. This tactical combination originated during Shaka’s military reforms.