Sudanese Short Sword or Long Knife?

Jim McDougall · 30th July 2015, 03:49 AM

Hi Miguel,
A most interesting Nilotic sword, and as you note, these are typically regarded as from Dongola, actually on the Nile. This form is regarded as associated with this region in Egerton, as well as other references I have seen.
I would note that the triple fullers and the dukari (moons) are clearly spuriously applied, of course in imitation of the blades typically seen in the Sahara on takouba. The blades on these swords of the 19th c. typically had crocodile image engraved lengthwise on the blade, but never as far as I have known have they used this motif.

May I ask more on your note suggesting this may be from Darfur?

These are most interesting form and not typically seen among the swords and edged weapons of these areas.

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30th July 2015, 03:49 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,284	Hi Miguel, A most interesting Nilotic sword, and as you note, these are typically regarded as from Dongola, actually on the Nile. This form is regarded as associated with this region in Egerton, as well as other references I have seen. I would note that the triple fullers and the dukari (moons) are clearly spuriously applied, of course in imitation of the blades typically seen in the Sahara on takouba. The blades on these swords of the 19th c. typically had crocodile image engraved lengthwise on the blade, but never as far as I have known have they used this motif. May I ask more on your note suggesting this may be from Darfur? These are most interesting form and not typically seen among the swords and edged weapons of these areas.