Jim,
Do you think the use of "Hadendoa" to describe this form of dagger is etymologically incorrect? I'll be the first to admit I've always identified this stylized anthropomorphic hilt as a "Hadendoa" dagger without consideration to the larger sphere of tribal identity with whom this type of knife was/is associated.
Was it the historical role of the Hadendoa (in support of the Madhi I presume) that resulted in this association? I read somewhere the Hadendoa would sever the tendons of British horses using these daggers...
Anyway, here's a couple photos of my own example. Aside from the blade form, I think I found a distinction in the treatment of the top of the hilt with the double-notches that repeat on either side:
Last edited by Rick; 14th February 2012 at 03:44 PM.
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