RARE TIV (NIGERIA/CAMEROON) ARCHER’S DAGGER

7 ¾” length. Finely forged with flared base medially ridged leaf shaped blade. Integral loop form grip chiseled with decorative panels. The archer shot with the dagger looped around his hand and ready for hand to hand fighting. Stable very old surface oxidation overall. The Tiv fiercely resisted slave raids, especially from the Sokoto Caliphate (Fulani-led) and earlier groups like the Jukun in the Benue Valley. Their use of poisoned arrows and communal defense made them formidable. They maintained independence and largely avoided conversion to Islam or integration into emirate systems.