Origins of the Mandinka saber

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Kubur

Because it's only Jim's opinion.

Hi Kubur,
Thank you for the note, and very much agreed, the material I post is indeed my own opinion and based on the research and notes from years past as well as resources we are all pretty much familiar with .
I'm glad you pointed this out, as I always look forward to the opinions and findings of others pertaining to the topics I address. In my opinion that is how we learn, I know I do, as others present different views, and if the supported data warrants, my opinion does adjust accordingly.

Concerning a term to describe these sabres, it is what we have long referred to in these pages as 'the name game'. I suppose in some sense one could call these a Manding kattara, but I would imagine that would bring some dissent as well as powerful debate.

Re: haladie
The Sudanese 'haladie' noted is of course known as the Syrian dagger (Stone, 1937) and was a weapon derived from the Rapjut double bladed madu and the mendicant versions. These most probably entered the Sudanese arsenal via the Mamluks out of Syria.
I am unclear on what language the term haladie derives from.