Harpun Used For Hunting Hippopotamuses – 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 harpoon via the line that uncoiled.

The wooden handle floated to the surface and thus served as a float to locate the hippopotamus once it had submerged again.

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

Traces of an old collector’s label on the wood mentioning “hippo hunt.”

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.
Available on YouTube under the title "Jean Rouch Battle on the Great River: Hippopotamus Hunt 1951"