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Harpun Used For Hunting Hippos – West Africa, Banks Of The Niger River, First Half Of The 20th Century

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Harpoon spear for hunting hippos – West Africa, banks of the Niger River, first half of the 20th century

This type of harpoon was used for hunting hippos on the Niger River.

The harpoon was thrown at the hippopotamus, remained lodged in the animal’s skin, and detached from the wooden shaft. However, it remained connected to the shaft by the line that uncoiled.

The wooden handle would rise to the surface and thus serve as a floatto locate the hippopotamus once it had submerged again.

Thus, the hunters, in their boat, followed the float and speared the hippopotamus with a lance when it came up to breathe at the surface.

A few cracks in the wood, otherwise in good condition.

Length 129 cm
Blade length 20 cm
Weight 967 g

A lovely 1951 film by director Jean Rouch documented hippopotamus hunting on the Niger River.
You can watch it on youtube with the title "Jean Rouch Bataille sur le grand fleuve Chasse à l'hippopotame 1951".

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Harpun Used For Hunting Hippos – West Africa, Banks Of The Niger River, First Half Of The 20th Century

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