Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Sudanese spears of Mahdist Period 1881-1899

G. Mansfield · 2nd February 2023, 09:03 PM

Jim, I too agree that your spearhead example to be a alam standard due to the decoration of thuluth and form, and like Ed stated, this would not funtion well in actual battle other than rallying the warriors. It is likely a ceremonial or parade piece. It is although a very nice example of the type. I have a similar examplar, with thuluth on a Mahdist replica throwing knife with symbolism of crescent moons, stars, and pseudo- Arabic writing that may just be imitated calligraphy. It is missing its grip which was likely reptile skin.

Also attached are pictures of a javelin head that comes from the Sudan Region. I still have not narrowed it in exacly where but it may originate between Chad, Darfur, and the Kordofan area (?) The blade fullers and shape remind me of Tubu and Darfur bladed short swords found in Western Sudan and Eastern Chad. The socket is however twisted and not typical for the area (?) I am assuming this at one point in its lifetime was complete with a shaft and possibly a butt which at one point broke and the reptile grip was added and became a scepter...something often seen during the Mahdist time period. See http://oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=3820 and http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1872

-Geoffrey

2nd February 2023, 09:03 PM	#12
G. Mansfield Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 77	Jim, I too agree that your spearhead example to be a alam standard due to the decoration of thuluth and form, and like Ed stated, this would not funtion well in actual battle other than rallying the warriors. It is likely a ceremonial or parade piece. It is although a very nice example of the type. I have a similar examplar, with thuluth on a Mahdist replica throwing knife with symbolism of crescent moons, stars, and pseudo- Arabic writing that may just be imitated calligraphy. It is missing its grip which was likely reptile skin. Also attached are pictures of a javelin head that comes from the Sudan Region. I still have not narrowed it in exacly where but it may originate between Chad, Darfur, and the Kordofan area (?) The blade fullers and shape remind me of Tubu and Darfur bladed short swords found in Western Sudan and Eastern Chad. The socket is however twisted and not typical for the area (?) I am assuming this at one point in its lifetime was complete with a shaft and possibly a butt which at one point broke and the reptile grip was added and became a scepter...something often seen during the Mahdist time period. See http://oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=3820 and http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1872 -Geoffrey Attached Images Last edited by G. Mansfield; 2nd February 2023 at 09:13 PM.