Chamba short sword for comment

Iain · 25th April 2011, 06:36 PM

Been a busy few days, my apologies for not getting back to this thread sooner.

Martin,

Thank you so much for the photos of your colleague's sword as well as the fantastic image of the Mandarawa man with shield and throwing knife, it is like stepping back in time to look at that photo.

Regarding your colleague's sword, it seems to me that this probably never had a guard and is more in the Tebu style. Their seems to be two main forms, the rounded tip, thick blade and round pommel of your example and my smaller Chamba piece and this pointed, skull crusher pommel type that your colleague has - and just to confuse things a combination of both styles in Tim's sword.

Tim,

I had seen the bovine guards being labeled Kirdi before - actually I think in an older thread, perhaps IDed by Luc. But with so many groups tightly backed into this general area... This image I think illustrates it all rather well. From wikipedia, the ethnic groups of the extreme northern province.

I wonder if generally speaking the arm swords and lighter blades are the effect of Fulani influence? It certainly seems to be a slightly newer development and as Martin noted, these older heaver blades seem totally unsuitable for this method of carriage.

I too would very much like to travel to this region. I was also glad to read that tourism is being promoted in Rhumsiki including blacksmithing. I'd be interested to see any other photos of the area you might like to share Martin.

Best,

Iain

Martin Lubojacky · 26th April 2011, 11:49 PM

Iain,

Except of this one I have the rest in Prague, so when I arrive I will post some (but this is just people and landscape)
Regards,
Martin

Yvain · 12th April 2020, 09:52 PM

For the archives, found this one that went through a sale auction in 2009.

Described as a Kirdi short sword, original description below :

"Dating: circa 1900
Provenence: Camerun
Lama dritta, con punta incurvata, a due fili, costolata al centro; elso in ferro a "V", pomo a fungo, impugnatura in legno rivestita di trecciola in cuoio. Fodero in legno rivestito in cuoio e pelle di rettile.
Illustrata in "Islamic and Native Weapons of Colonial Africa 1800-1960" di Anthony C. Tirri, pag. 431 ill. 6-11."

Luc LEFEBVRE · 13th April 2020, 09:51 AM

Martin, the shield was in leather or iron ?

Sajen · 13th April 2020, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luc LEFEBVRE

Martin, the shield was in leather or iron ?

Martin stated that it is from iron!

Regards,
Detlef

12th April 2020, 09:52 PM	#3
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 181	For the archives, found this one that went through a sale auction in 2009. Described as a Kirdi short sword, original description below : "Dating: circa 1900 Provenence: Camerun Lama dritta, con punta incurvata, a due fili, costolata al centro; elso in ferro a "V", pomo a fungo, impugnatura in legno rivestita di trecciola in cuoio. Fodero in legno rivestito in cuoio e pelle di rettile. Illustrata in "Islamic and Native Weapons of Colonial Africa 1800-1960" di Anthony C. Tirri, pag. 431 ill. 6-11." Attached Images

25th April 2011, 06:36 PM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	Been a busy few days, my apologies for not getting back to this thread sooner. Martin, Thank you so much for the photos of your colleague's sword as well as the fantastic image of the Mandarawa man with shield and throwing knife, it is like stepping back in time to look at that photo. Regarding your colleague's sword, it seems to me that this probably never had a guard and is more in the Tebu style. Their seems to be two main forms, the rounded tip, thick blade and round pommel of your example and my smaller Chamba piece and this pointed, skull crusher pommel type that your colleague has - and just to confuse things a combination of both styles in Tim's sword. Tim, I had seen the bovine guards being labeled Kirdi before - actually I think in an older thread, perhaps IDed by Luc. But with so many groups tightly backed into this general area... This image I think illustrates it all rather well. From wikipedia, the ethnic groups of the extreme northern province. I wonder if generally speaking the arm swords and lighter blades are the effect of Fulani influence? It certainly seems to be a slightly newer development and as Martin noted, these older heaver blades seem totally unsuitable for this method of carriage. I too would very much like to travel to this region. I was also glad to read that tourism is being promoted in Rhumsiki including blacksmithing. I'd be interested to see any other photos of the area you might like to share Martin. Best, Iain

26th April 2011, 11:49 PM	#2
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 845	Iain, Except of this one I have the rest in Prague, so when I arrive I will post some (but this is just people and landscape) Regards, Martin

13th April 2020, 09:51 AM	#4
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Martin, the shield was in leather or iron ?