AZANDE SLAVER'S SPEAR

Slaving was the primary occupation of the Azande in the 19th century. Slaves were captured in raids as well as in war. By the 19th century, tribal war was no longer about territory, but rather, to produce slaves from the vanquished. This example is an Azande war spear of the period. It is 65 7/8” long with broad leaf shaped point and flat iron base shoe. The point has a tapered raised medial with turned up base. The haft is wrapped with ridged copper trade tape. It is well used with a chip to the opened seam of the base shoe.