Apparently sabers are alive and well in Ivory Coast

Iain · 6th April 2011, 08:26 PM

Just spotted this photo in the news a few days ago. I assume this is a Manding man (Ouattara supporter according to the article). The hilt is fairly typical and aluminium and the dress seems about right for Manding attribution.

Please don't politicize this thread regarding the ongoing situation in Ivory Coast, I only posted this as I thought it might be interesting to share that in some parts of the world apparently the sword is still considered worth lugging around with your AK-47! Certainly seems like the sword is well cared for and a prized possession.

Photo credit and backlink (image attached here for archiving purposes): http://english.aljazeera.net/photo_g...629947194.html

Tim Simmons · 6th April 2011, 09:07 PM

Interesting, it looks like the chap in the red shirt, his left hand is resting on a big axe. The other chap has a knife and looks like some sort of talisman pouch. Horrible close quarter stuff.

VANDOO · 6th April 2011, 09:44 PM

I WONDER IF HE MAY BE CARRING THOSE ITEMS TO SHOW HIS STATUS AS WELL AS FOR BACKUP WEAPONS. THE OTHER FELLOW HAS A SMALL DAGGER AND SOMETHING WITH THE SAME DECORATION AS WHAT IS ON THE SWORD.
HE IS VERY WELL EQUIPED SWORD, AX ,AK AND THE EVER IMPORTANT FLY WHISK.

Gavin Nugent · 6th April 2011, 10:01 PM

And I was always educated, never ever take a knife to a gun fight....I guess a sword is ok then. Kinda reassuring though, like the Chinese Dadao units, if you run out of ammo you know you can fall back on long sharp pointy things, pretty interesting to see this adoption continue in to the 21st century.

Rick · 6th April 2011, 10:02 PM

Better a sword than a gun shaped club .

Atlantia · 6th April 2011, 10:13 PM

Is it a modern variation of the Manding sabres?

Rick · 6th April 2011, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain

Please don't politicize this thread regarding the ongoing situation in Ivory Coast .

The first political post buys a ticket out of here for the Poster .

No worries .

Rick

6th April 2011, 08:26 PM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	Apparently sabers are alive and well in Ivory Coast Just spotted this photo in the news a few days ago. I assume this is a Manding man (Ouattara supporter according to the article). The hilt is fairly typical and aluminium and the dress seems about right for Manding attribution. Please don't politicize this thread regarding the ongoing situation in Ivory Coast, I only posted this as I thought it might be interesting to share that in some parts of the world apparently the sword is still considered worth lugging around with your AK-47! Certainly seems like the sword is well cared for and a prized possession. Photo credit and backlink (image attached here for archiving purposes): http://english.aljazeera.net/photo_g...629947194.html Attached Images

6th April 2011, 09:07 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Interesting, it looks like the chap in the red shirt, his left hand is resting on a big axe. The other chap has a knife and looks like some sort of talisman pouch. Horrible close quarter stuff. Attached Images

6th April 2011, 10:01 PM	#4
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	And I thought And I was always educated, never ever take a knife to a gun fight....I guess a sword is ok then. Kinda reassuring though, like the Chinese Dadao units, if you run out of ammo you know you can fall back on long sharp pointy things, pretty interesting to see this adoption continue in to the 21st century.

6th April 2011, 09:44 PM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I WONDER IF HE MAY BE CARRING THOSE ITEMS TO SHOW HIS STATUS AS WELL AS FOR BACKUP WEAPONS. THE OTHER FELLOW HAS A SMALL DAGGER AND SOMETHING WITH THE SAME DECORATION AS WHAT IS ON THE SWORD. HE IS VERY WELL EQUIPED SWORD, AX ,AK AND THE EVER IMPORTANT FLY WHISK.

6th April 2011, 10:02 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Better a sword than a gun shaped club .

6th April 2011, 10:13 PM	#6
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Is it a modern variation of the Manding sabres?