Hunting is defined as seeking, pursuing and taking of game and wild animals for subsistence, profit or sport. To the early man, hunting was a means of obtaining food, Clothing and tools. However, as time passed and civilization advanced, man learned to domesticate animals and has been able to develop new breeds. At length, hunting became a privileged sport.

Primitive hunters used plain weapons. Traps and snares were simple and obviosity mainly deepened on stones, bone tipped spears, wooden clubs, etc.

In this issue, two types of weapons are dealt with. These are the spear as well as the bow and arrow. These weapons were universal among primitive hunters and their use nowadays is also common.

The spear, as one of the piercing missiles, is composed of a single piece of wood one end of which is pointed and often hardened in the fire. In Africa, heads of metal are often added. The one shown in the 1 Birr stamp is composed of wood and the head is metal. This particular spear has two throngs and is used by people of shoa region, Ethiopia.

The bow and arrow have been the most generally used and most widely dispersed of all weapons from its earliest days until the 16^th century. Later it also became a favorite implement of sport. The one shown in the 85c stamp is particularly in use in Bale region, Ethiopia.