Some period photos of African 'knights'

[Martin Lubojacky]

Iain, thank you and Colin for sharing this magnificent old photos. When I came to my office a while ago, I wanted to work (at least a little). The only "mistake" was I switched on vikingsword forum....

Do you think the photo of Dikwa rider with a long and thick lance may somewat clear up the origin of a steel spear-end piece, which I bought in Maroua 3 years ago ?? It is 115 cms long with a diameter at the outset around 4 cms - see the photo. (btw: That time it was possible to go by car from Maiduguri to Maroua - through Bama, which is a little bit more south from Dikwa - now it is warmly not recommended from the security reasons, so another peace of the Earth became unaccessible from this reasons...)

Concerning the Dikwa cavalry mock charge, I think it is a scene from the local Durbar festival, as the people standing infront of the riders are (dancing) women. (Now there is Durbar time again, I think it will e.g. take place in Kano from November 5 to 6)
Best regards
Martin

[Iain]

Hi Martin, glad you are also enjoying the photos. :-)

I think your spear butt is probably Bornu (or we can perhaps say Kanuri at least), it looks somewhat similar to the one in the photo. Very nice item! A pity the spear head did not come with it. I am still jealous you get to travel to such places!

I agree the other photo is probably from a Durbar. Durbars are usually held on Eid ul-Fitr and Eid-el Kabir. This year Eid-el Kabir occurs on November 6th. Unfortunately as you noted the security situation is very bad right now. In past years I remember even CNN doing some reports from Durbars... A pity, it is nice to see the riders still keeping the traditions alive - although the costumes now days are a bit more fancy!

[CharlesS]

I just can't say enough about the pics....thanks so much for sharing.

[Iain]

Thanks Charles!

Time for the next batch. A bit of an eclectic grouping this time.

EDIT: Photo order messed up again. Should be fairly obvious though from what's on the cards I hope.

First, a Tuareg attack posed for the camera.

Second Mandingo riders in the region of Segon (can't seem to find exactly where that is now).

Third heavy knights in padded armor in Niger. I believe this is originally from a 1926 National Geographic trip around Niamey.

Fourth, a truly excellent French Colonial image with French posing with foot soldiers with lances and mounted knights. Notice the Tuareg style hide shield. The men are from the Zarma, a Songhai people. They founded the Dosso kingdom in 1750 and led much of the resistance to the expanding power of Sokoto in the 1800s.

Fifth, an incredible image from the highland grasslands of Cameroon showing an un identified ethnic group (anyone have any clues based on the clothing? Maybe Tikar?). The one man is holding a brass hilted wide bladed takouba. These swords certainly got around!

Sixth, a Mossi warrior from the Hombori region.

[Iain]

Hmm, I was hoping this thread would stay alive a little longer. May as well throw up a few pictures from the Sudan and Somalia. Probably familiar to most folks here already, but maybe a few are not.

[Mauro]

some photos also from my side.
1. This is an ald postcard but I do not know the age. The style is similar to the photos made during the Italian invasion of Ethiopia but this is coming from France. It could be the same age or even earlier.
2.Somalian warrior with a nice belawa
3.Touareg warrior with his shield and takouba
4.Tuareg warrior on a camel
5. An astonishing beautyfull Touareg girl. Simply a lovely photo !!

[Jim McDougall]

I must admit I have remiss in not commenting on these magnificent photos Iain has shared here as from the outset I seem to have experienced the 'Stendahl thing'!!! (=Stendahls syndrome, being overwhelmed by exposure to overpowering doses of fantastic art).
It is amazing to experience the weapons and objects we study here effectively in 'real time', almost as if via time machine. Thank you Iain, and everybody here who has continued this most valuable thread. I honestly hope it keeps going, kinda like a movie you dont want to end

I find the mail armor of the Sudan interesting, and that so many observers from the time of these expeditions perceived much of it as 'from the crusades'. Hopefully they meant 'of the type' rather than actual remnants of that time. During the Mahdiyya there was a considerable number of coats of mail produced in Birmingham for the Khedive of Egypts forces. To the dismay of the Khedives 'iron men' the armor proved disastrous when hit by bullets and the rings shattered and greatly worsened the wounding power.

Regarding the quilted armor, it is interesting about the potential for fire from fire arrows, and carrying the water to douse flaming warriors. I had heard of this in the use of padded armor in the Spanish southwest as well.

Please keep this thread going guys!!!!

All the best,
Jim