- Collection type
- Object
- Description
- Fighting-ring with ring for wearing on finger and sharp projecting double hook. [SM 20/04/2007]
- Cultural groups
- Pokot
- Date / Period
- Date made: Before 1922
- Date collected
- By 1922
- Acquisition information
- Donated: 1922
- Materials and processes
- Material Iron Metal, Process Forged (Metal), Process Bent
- Dimensions
- Length: max 98 mm, Width: max 26 mm
- Object numbers
- Accession number: 1922.12.6
- Research and responses
The following notes are drawn from research compiled by Andy Mills as part of the DCF Cutting Edge project in 2006-2007.
This usual fighting hook, with two slightly-diverging hooks, is made from a single piece of iron, coiled into a ring at one end, and split at the other. Spring (Spring, C. (1988) African Arms & Armour. London: British Museum Press, p. 116) records these weapons as in historical use by the Pokot (as ours is), Lango, Turkana and Karamojong. Worn on the middle finger, these weapons were also used as eating utensils. Totty (Totty, L.H. (1944) The People & District of West Suk. Nairobi: NDII KUU Press, p. 3) suggests that the Pokot acquired these finger hooks from their northern Turkana neighbours, from whom they also acquired a septum-ornament and a large rectangular form of shield.
Spring records in the same place at least one example of a Pokot chief, who greeted subordinates by allowing them to touch the tip of his hook, while his equals were greeted with a handshake. [El.B 26/02/2008]
Search terms: Weapon, Ornament, Finger Ring Knife Ornament