Ethiopian dagger for comment

colin henshaw · 18th August 2011, 08:35 AM

Interesting dagger. It may be coincidence, but the handle finial is similar in form to the phallic head ornament worn by the Konso of southern Ethiopia. Here is an image.

Regards.

Jim McDougall · 18th August 2011, 05:50 PM

It really does seem like I haved seen similar fuller/channeling system on Caucasian kindjhals, and possibly they were Georgian. The Georgians, along with Russia, are Orthodox Christians in majority, and in looking at the interesting symbol on the blade, it appears in the shape of the 'mandorla' (Ital. =almond). The shape is associated with the 'vesica piscis' (the area in the intersection of two superimposed circles, much in the virtual concept of the Star of Solomon created by two opposed and superimposed triangles).

The mandorla is often used in traditional Christian art to create the aureola (as in 'halos' etc.) but typically in vertical position. Perhaps this symbol as seen here may represent that image, noting that Abyssinian art often is very much in the fashion of early Christian iconic art with thier Coptic Christian Faith.
Interestingly, while this almond shaped device, as the vesica piscis, has been linked to Masonic symbolism, Kabbala, mathematical equations and Gothic architectural systems, it has also been suggested to have a 'yonic' value, that is associated with the female genitalia. I only add this note as coincidental to the curiously compelling comment on the pommel shape.

18th August 2011, 08:35 AM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	Interesting dagger. It may be coincidence, but the handle finial is similar in form to the phallic head ornament worn by the Konso of southern Ethiopia. Here is an image. Regards. Attached Images

18th August 2011, 05:50 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,295	It really does seem like I haved seen similar fuller/channeling system on Caucasian kindjhals, and possibly they were Georgian. The Georgians, along with Russia, are Orthodox Christians in majority, and in looking at the interesting symbol on the blade, it appears in the shape of the 'mandorla' (Ital. =almond). The shape is associated with the 'vesica piscis' (the area in the intersection of two superimposed circles, much in the virtual concept of the Star of Solomon created by two opposed and superimposed triangles). The mandorla is often used in traditional Christian art to create the aureola (as in 'halos' etc.) but typically in vertical position. Perhaps this symbol as seen here may represent that image, noting that Abyssinian art often is very much in the fashion of early Christian iconic art with thier Coptic Christian Faith. Interestingly, while this almond shaped device, as the vesica piscis, has been linked to Masonic symbolism, Kabbala, mathematical equations and Gothic architectural systems, it has also been suggested to have a 'yonic' value, that is associated with the female genitalia. I only add this note as coincidental to the curiously compelling comment on the pommel shape.