This ceremonial spear comes from the Mandingo tribe of Guinea,
Africa. Benjamin Franklin Powell collected this spear circa 1925
while he was representing the government of Liberia in
delimiting the boundary between Liberia and French Guinea (now
Guinea). Estimated to be from around 1900, the spear came with a
large donation of objects and sculptures from West Africa given
to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science by Powell. Several of
the sculptures donated by him were also used in the "Cabinet of
Curiosities" exhibit at the Museum around 1999. Located
primarily in the West African countries of Guinea, Mali,
Senegal, and Liberia, the Mandingo are part of the larger Mande
linguistic group. For almost 400 years, the Mandingo have been
known for their metalwork. In 1623, it was noted by Richard
Jobson that Mandingo blacksmiths were making swords, spears, and
agricultural tools (McNaughton, 1993). Used as weapons or for
ceremonies, spears were important objects in many West African
cultures. According to Museum re