Ethiopian shotel

[Jim McDougall]

This shotel I have had for many years, and going through things I wanted to update with more revised description. I am always puzzled by the use of the term shotel as opposed to 'gurade'. I have understood both to be terms used collectively for the sword in Ethiopia.

Also, am unclear on the versions of shotel......the deeply curved sickle form as opposed to these with of course the same style hilt, but using saber type blades which seem of the cavalry types of 19th c.

With this example it seems the cavalry type blade has the Abyssinian 'Lion of Judah' in the blade at the forte. The green velveteen scabbard reminds me of the styles used for Indian tulwars.

Some questions:
The blade seems like a product by perhaps Wilkinson? made for export to Abyssinia in last quarter 19th into early 20th c.. Any idea what the distinct 'M' might be for?
I know Germany was also providing blades to then Abyssinia in these times, into 1930s if I understand correctly.

What is the material in the unusual combined grip, horn? and wood. Any ideas of what types?

While I have studied swords in form and history for many years, these kinds of particulars are for the experts here who specialize in these areas, so I REALLY would be grateful for your insights.

Thank you guys,
Jim

[werecow]

I am always puzzled by the use of the term shotel as opposed to 'gurade'. I have understood both to be terms used collectively for the sword in Ethiopia.

My understanding has been that the sickle shaped and forward/outward curved swords are labeled shotel whereas the saber bladed and straight bladed swords are named gurade. So yours would be a gurade (and a very nice one!).

Shotel:





Gurade:




And of course the Afar gile/jile:



That's my understanding of it anyway, but others may know more.

With respect to the hilt materials, while I have not been able to confirm this, I've read at least one source that claimed the light colored, yellowish hilts were made of giraffe hoof, whereas the darker horn may be either rhino or bovine. But then again, buffalo/cow horn comes in different shades so perhaps the giraffe hoof is just a bit of fanciful advertising. Both pieces of your grip look like horn to me, rather than wood.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by werecow

My understanding has been that the sickle shaped and forward/outward curved swords are labeled shotel whereas the saber bladed and straight bladed swords are named gurade. So yours would be a gurade (and a very nice one!).

Shotel:





Gurade:




And of course the Afar gile/jile:



That's my understanding of it anyway, but others may know more.

With respect to the hilt materials, while I have not been able to confirm this, I've read at least one source that claimed the light colored, yellowish hilts were made of giraffe hoof, whereas the darker horn may be either rhino or bovine. But then again, buffalo/cow horn comes in different shades so perhaps the giraffe hoof is just a bit of fanciful advertising. Both pieces of your grip look like horn to me, rather than wood.

Thank you so much! That has been pretty much my understanding as well, but as we know, with ethnographic weapons the name game gets so dynamic. I had not thought of giraffe hoof, but sounds very logical.
I really appreciate the input and always good to hear from you!

Best regards
Jim

[werecow]

Yeah, the collectors' terms are not always the right ones, though FWIW the guys from the couple of HAMA channels I follow on youtube seem to be using the same convention.

Unfortunately I can no longer find the giraffe hoof reference so definitely take it with a grain of salt.

[Martin Lubojacky]

Hi Jim,

The Ethiopians use the word “gurade” to refer to a classic sabre, that is, a weapon with a traditional sabre-shaped blade (I also heard word "shabola", but seldom).
The word “saif” is used for a straight sword there.
“Shotel” is somewhat S-shaped near the hilt and then follows a sickle-like, sometimes even semi-circular curve. Its scabbard also has a classic belt attachment, for example a simple leather loop.
But, “Jille,” although it has a similar curvature beneath the hilt and can also be as long as a sabreor shotel, does not have such a pronounced sickle-like bend at the tip (like shotel); the end is straighter. Its scabbard has a completely characteristic belt attachment that tends to hold the weapon on the belt in a slightly more horizontal position.
During my stay in Addis Ababa years ago, this terminology was followed by local Ethiopian sellers (regardless of how the terminology may have evolved among collectors of Ethiopian edged weapons elsewhere in the world). It may have changed since then even there....
(I am currently traveling and can come back to chat next week)

Best,

Martin

[werecow]

So that raises another question: is the one in this picture a shotel, or is it actually one of the long Jille you describe Martin?



I have one of the much more sickle shaped shotels and this one, and they are incredibly different things. The one in the first picture is quite thin and light, and can only be used one way, with the curve on the outside, whereas the sickle shaped sword shown at the bottom of the picture below is thick and hefty, and could be used in either configuration with the curve facing out or in.



Of course, the top one in that picture would be a gurade, and Ii guess this one would be a saif:

[Patterson25]

Another one with a long and very curved blade, around 110cm...

[Martin Lubojacky]

In the upper image, according to the terminology used by Addis Ababa sellers, it is a Jille (or Gile). The sheath has also decorative leather cords, which are otherwise common on the sheaths of jille-daggers, for example those used by the Kereyu group.

[werecow]

Alright, that goes some way to explain the wide disparity between them, thanks!

[DaveA]

Here is shotel in my collection. It is a well-forged, double-sided sword 31 1/4 inches in length with a 27 inch curved blade. The blade is flat with diamond cross-section. The hilt is wooden with a copper disk at the pommel. The typically-colored red leather scabbard has decorative designs from top to bottom on both sides and is in good condition although very stiff.

Dave A.

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you very much guys, especially for adding these additional examples! It is great to put together perspective on these from those who specialize and collect in these areas. While the terminology issue is of course important, one thing that puzzles me as well as how to determine the approximate age or period, especially the curved form.
I have always thought of those as earlier into the mid to late 19th c. but I have seen hints at use well into 1930s.

The greatest mystery with these of course is the idea of these reaching around the shields to wound the opponent, while many accounts discount this.

Patterson thank you for that unusually long example, and Dave very nice one! Was the red coloring something was particular significance? It seems the 'seme' with the Massai often had red colored scabbards as well.

Another thing brought up is the knife/sword 'gile' (jillie)of the Afar people, and how they are of course associated with these.

[Martin Lubojacky]

As for the age, I believe that older shotels or jile/gile-swords than from the second third of the 19th century have not survived (maybe in some museums?), and I would welcome any evidence to the contrary. I also think they were used roughly until the 1940s – see, for example, the photograph of Tigray people with a shotel in hand from 1935.

Jile/gile daggers (not swords) are still "used" (basically more or less as part of the traditional costume...). Over time their shape also changed slightly – see the photo from a celebration in Addis Ababa (December 2018) and the old photo of the Afars. These daggers were/are used by several ethnic groups, not only by the Afar themselves but also, for example, by the Kereyu, Itu, and others. Accordingly, the decoration, especially of the scabbards and hilts, could vary, but only a little . Jile/gile used by the Issa group also differed in that they were narrower and longer, and the lower part of the hilt slid into the scabbard – see the photo of the Issa from the desert. I am also attaching an approximately 15-year-old photo of several pieces from my collection.

As far as gile-sword is concerned, I have seen a jile/gile-sword with people in an old photo only once (whereas old photos of shotels with people several times; perhaps the shotel was more common ??) - unfortunately I do not have that picture. I believe it also dates to the 1930s–1940s.

As for the red colour, shotel scabbards and gorade scabbards made of thick rawhide were often covered with fine red “goatskin” with embossed patterns. In my opinion this was purely decorative and had nothing to do with Maasai swords.

[Changdao]

Originally Posted by Martin Lubojacky

As for the age, I believe that older shotels or jile/gile-swords than from the second third of the 19th century have not survived (maybe in some museums?), and I would welcome any evidence to the contrary. I also think they were used roughly until the 1940s – see, for example, the photograph of Tigray people with a shotel in hand from 1935.

Jile/gile daggers (not swords) are still "used" (basically more or less as part of the traditional costume...). Over time their shape also changed slightly – see the photo from a celebration in Addis Ababa (December 2018) and the old photo of the Afars. These daggers were/are used by several ethnic groups, not only by the Afar themselves but also, for example, by the Kereyu, Itu, and others. Accordingly, the decoration, especially of the scabbards and hilts, could vary, but only a little . Jile/gile used by the Issa group also differed in that they were narrower and longer, and the lower part of the hilt slid into the scabbard – see the photo of the Issa from the desert. I am also attaching an approximately 15-year-old photo of several pieces from my collection.

As far as gile-sword is concerned, I have seen a jile/gile-sword with people in an old photo only once (whereas old photos of shotels with people several times; perhaps the shotel was more common ??) - unfortunately I do not have that picture. I believe it also dates to the 1930s–1940s.

As for the red colour, shotel scabbards and gorade scabbards made of thick rawhide were often covered with fine red “goatskin” with embossed patterns. In my opinion this was purely decorative and had nothing to do with Maasai swords.

Regarding old photographies with gile, there are actually quite a few. These are three, but there are more.

[Jim McDougall]

Martin, I cannot thank you enough for going into such detail with this information. I have always had to rely on the few references I have to find any data on these arms, which as I have noted are not areas I have studied in any notable degree.

Having your insights is most valuable, and trust me I am feverishly taking notes! I truly admire your expertise, and Changdao your input as well! you guys are a great team.

I hope more examples will come up here, and that this thread will evolve into a comprehensive look into the swords of these regions. These kinds of threads with focused discussion are what these forums are all about!