Club with Metal Inlays
Dinka / Shilluk, South Sudan
Wood, mixed metals
Late 19th / early 20th century

The Shilluk are semi-nomadic and live along both shores of the White Nile River, between Faschoda (now known as Kodok) and Malakal in South Sudan. They earn their livelihood through the breeding of zebu cattle. Shilluk warriors carried long, sturdy spears, clubs for throwing and hitting, and tall shields, which were usually made out of hide from the belly of a hippopotamus or crocodile (Plaschke & Zirngibl, African Shields, 1992).

While the overall shape of this club closely resembles those of the Shilluk, both the Dinka and Shilluk were known to insert metal inlays into the club head for added weight and force. From examining the metal hobnails inserted into the wood head, what I can infer is that originally, they were all composed of lead. Then, as a few fell out over time, they were replaced at different moments with different materials. This would explain why they are mostly composed of lead, but some (in much smaller numbers) are composed of brass, iron, and aluminum. And some others are missing. 

A Dinka club with metal hobnails from the British Museum is pictured below. 

23.75 in :: 60 cm

InventoryID #13-2752

Price on Request