African bowhunters

[Lucas K]

I am trying to find some information about the tribe in east africa that was well known for its hunting of elephants with the bow, I think there was an article in National Geographic on them not all that long ago, any thing you guys know would b much apprecitated

[TomK]

I believe the biography of Jan Christian Smuts mentions a tribe in British East Africa in the early part of the 19th century that regularly hunted elephant with the bow.  The biography as written by his son if I remember correctly first published around 1950 or so.  Hope I'm giving you correct info....

May also be something mentioned in Karamojo Bell's book.

[TomK]

Found it.  The tribe you are referring to could be one of only two tribes... actually both tribes regularly hunted elephat with the bow...

The Kikuyu and the Kamba tribes.  

Hope this helps.  Tom Kidwell

[TomK]

Also, check out this link:

 http://books.google.com/books?id=ngRHjR6xumgC&pg=PA104&lpg=PA104&dq=east+africa+tribe+elephant+bow+and+arrow&source=web&ots=xICcZJHqjD&sig=1D-9riiBlXos_ivZSDIUvfOiZV4#PPA30,M1

[Lucas K]

Thank you, this is the tribe, they are also called the Watha/Walangulu, and they frequently used bows ranging into the 100lb mark, unfortunately I can't find much contemporary information about them