Ethiopian shotel

[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!

[roanoa]

Hi everyone. The FORUM holds a lot of information about Ethiopian swords. All you have to do is to search for it. It's there. Many of the questions have been answered more than once.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by roanoa

Hi everyone. The FORUM holds a lot of information about Ethiopian swords. All you have to do is to search for it. It's there. Many of the questions have been answered more than once.

Well noted, there is indeed a great deal of information archived here and while I recall most of it having been here from the beginning, it must be remembered that it was a process of evolution. It was always amazing to see many types of arms presented, more examples shown, often intense discussions, and quite often long standing mysteries solved in degree.

However these days many of those dynamic contributors and participants are no longer around on these pages, and things get pretty quiet. Sometimes I see a response to a thread from years ago bumped by a simple note, and when I see the heading and often realize the thread was last active years before, some even over a decade.

While great to see old threads revitalized, especially with new examples and evidence, sometimes it seems worthwhile to start new threads on topics which are of course of notable vintage, but with a 'fresh start' (so to speak).

Clearly the archived material here is easily accessible, but while of course questions often have been asked and discussed, sometimes a fresh start is productive, especially as these days there are many new 'players' , and frankly in most cases those from old threads are often long gone to other venues.

On that note, its REALLY good to see you posting, and you were always one of the most notable specialists contributing on the subject of these weapons.
While I have always used the SEARCH function as I research, my goal was to instigate new discussion as noted.

[Jim McDougall]

In posting this shotel originally, I was hoping to get some insights on this example which Ive had for many years. Ive gone through all the posts over the years in search, and while there are of course many similar examples, this one seems unusual.

What I was asking is about the blade, the M initial and the Lion of Judah which seems etched.

The hilt seems of horn and giraffe.

[RobT]

Jim Mcdougall,

This may or may not be relevant but “MK” in a Circle at the base of Ethiopian gurades stands for Matig Kevorkoff & Cie an Armenian importer based in Harar, Ethiopia. Perhaps some blades only carried an “M” for the importer’s first name.

Sincerely,
RobT