Ian and Tim, you guys are the most phenomenal researchers ever!!!! All this Voodoo material is notably esoteric and very hard to get through in all its complexity, but you guys have condensed it into applicable and understandable descriptions.
In 'the old days'
many moons ago, I recall trying to get into all this in the study of African weapons. The slow snail mail, trying to find reference titles etc was daunting, time consuming and not overall productive.
The use of todays online sources, AI, quick responses...and with guys like you at the helm.........these kinds of results are phenomenal!!!
Great find with the same sword presented on the 'social' media, with the expected playful, silly and feeble projections. These venues, like facebook as well, are not serious study forums as we fortunately have here.
Especially important is the recognition here toward the '1707' number.
One of the most notable items in the study of arms historically, particularly markings , are number combinations.
The most prevalent instances are the 'magic numbers' such as 1414 or 1441 on European blades often taken as dates by the unititiated. Many of these combinations have even been attributed to certain makers (Wagner, 1967).
These are cases of alpha numeric value applied much in the manner of cabalistic interpretation.
This forum is indeed amazing, and thanks to this kind of willingness to go the extra mile to present great researched perspectives in discussions.
Here we learn together, I know I do, every day!
Thank you guys!