Ethiopian Spear (From the Battle of Adwa, 1896)

Reddish, reed-slim and a touch bowed, this shaft carries a dark point aloft.

This spear from the Battle of Adwa, 1896 is from Ethiopia, East Africa, and dates to the late 19th century. It is bamboo & iron. At Adwa on 1 March 1896 Ethiopian forces defeated an invading Italian army, a victory widely remembered across Africa as a defense of independence. Very long narrow staff in a rusty red-brown with fine node marks along its length. A small dark blade shaped like a leaf sits at the top, and the lower end tapers to a short green-black tip. It is 115 inches high.

A straight line with a slight sense of humor.