Shilluk spear-head
Accession Number:
[1961.9.5]
Country:
Sudan
Region:
[Southern Sudan] [White Nile]
Cultural Group:
Shilluk
Date Made:
By 1961
Materials:
Iron Metal
Process:
Socketed
Dimensions:
L = 700 mm
Other Owners:
Taken from a Shilluk fighting on the White Nile. Mr & Mrs A.J. Forster.
Field Collector:
?Mr & Mrs A.J. Forster
PRM Source:
Mr & Mrs A.J. Forster
Acquired:
Donated September 1961
Collected Date:
By 1961
Description:
Socketed iron spear-head, with a length of 700 mm.
This spearhead was taken from a Shilluk fighting on the White Nile and presented to the museum by Mr & Mrs A.J. Forster.
Domville Fife discusses Shilluk weaponry, as he saw it in the 1920's: ""The Shilluk warrior is never seen outside his tukl without a long spear, having a broad, leaf-shaped blade, and an ostrich feather tuft near the butt end. These spears are always kept scrupulously clean… In addition to this long, stabbing weapon, two small throwing spears are usually carried..." (C.W. Domville Fife, 1927, Savage Life in the Black Sudan, p. 69 and sketch on p. 68; the stabbing spear is said to vary in length from 6 to 8 feet.
Rachael Sparks 30/9/2005.
This spearhead was taken from a Shilluk fighting on the White Nile and presented to the museum by Mr & Mrs A.J. Forster.
Domville Fife discusses Shilluk weaponry, as he saw it in the 1920's: ""The Shilluk warrior is never seen outside his tukl without a long spear, having a broad, leaf-shaped blade, and an ostrich feather tuft near the butt end. These spears are always kept scrupulously clean… In addition to this long, stabbing weapon, two small throwing spears are usually carried..." (C.W. Domville Fife, 1927, Savage Life in the Black Sudan, p. 69 and sketch on p. 68; the stabbing spear is said to vary in length from 6 to 8 feet.
Rachael Sparks 30/9/2005.
Primary Documentation:
Accession Book Entry
[p.
45] - Mr & Mrs A.J.
FORSTER, St Mary's ...
OXFORD.
Mr.
Forster was some time Bursar of MAGDALEN Coll., Oxford.
[p.
46] 1961.9.5 - SUDAN, SHILLUK.
Iron spear-head, 70 cm long, socketed, taken from SHILLUK fighting on WHITE NILE.
Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the tribes catalogue card [RTS 23/7/2004].
Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the tribes catalogue card [RTS 23/7/2004].
