Some period photos of African 'knights'

CharlesS · 22nd October 2011, 03:14 PM

I just can't say enough about the pics....thanks so much for sharing.

Iain · 22nd October 2011, 04:39 PM

Thanks Charles!

Time for the next batch. A bit of an eclectic grouping this time.

EDIT: Photo order messed up again. Should be fairly obvious though from what's on the cards I hope.

First, a Tuareg attack posed for the camera.

Second Mandingo riders in the region of Segon (can't seem to find exactly where that is now).

Third heavy knights in padded armor in Niger. I believe this is originally from a 1926 National Geographic trip around Niamey.

Fourth, a truly excellent French Colonial image with French posing with foot soldiers with lances and mounted knights. Notice the Tuareg style hide shield. The men are from the Zarma, a Songhai people. They founded the Dosso kingdom in 1750 and led much of the resistance to the expanding power of Sokoto in the 1800s.

Fifth, an incredible image from the highland grasslands of Cameroon showing an un identified ethnic group (anyone have any clues based on the clothing? Maybe Tikar?). The one man is holding a brass hilted wide bladed takouba. These swords certainly got around!

Sixth, a Mossi warrior from the Hombori region.

Iain · 25th October 2011, 07:53 PM

Hmm, I was hoping this thread would stay alive a little longer. May as well throw up a few pictures from the Sudan and Somalia. Probably familiar to most folks here already, but maybe a few are not.

Mauro · 28th October 2011, 03:34 PM

some photos also from my side.
1. This is an ald postcard but I do not know the age. The style is similar to the photos made during the Italian invasion of Ethiopia but this is coming from France. It could be the same age or even earlier.
2.Somalian warrior with a nice belawa
3.Touareg warrior with his shield and takouba
4.Tuareg warrior on a camel
5. An astonishing beautyfull Touareg girl. Simply a lovely photo !!

Jim McDougall · 28th October 2011, 06:26 PM

I must admit I have remiss in not commenting on these magnificent photos Iain has shared here as from the outset I seem to have experienced the 'Stendahl thing'!!! (=Stendahls syndrome, being overwhelmed by exposure to overpowering doses of fantastic art).
It is amazing to experience the weapons and objects we study here effectively in 'real time', almost as if via time machine. Thank you Iain, and everybody here who has continued this most valuable thread. I honestly hope it keeps going, kinda like a movie you dont want to end

I find the mail armor of the Sudan interesting, and that so many observers from the time of these expeditions perceived much of it as 'from the crusades'. Hopefully they meant 'of the type' rather than actual remnants of that time. During the Mahdiyya there was a considerable number of coats of mail produced in Birmingham for the Khedive of Egypts forces. To the dismay of the Khedives 'iron men' the armor proved disastrous when hit by bullets and the rings shattered and greatly worsened the wounding power.

Regarding the quilted armor, it is interesting about the potential for fire from fire arrows, and carrying the water to douse flaming warriors. I had heard of this in the use of padded armor in the Spanish southwest as well.

Please keep this thread going guys!!!!

All the best,
Jim

Mauro · 28th October 2011, 07:03 PM

I just noted that the tuareg mounting a camel, and with his own takouba, was not uploaded. I also upload another tuareg group. I love these old photos !!

Iain · 29th October 2011, 12:43 PM

Hi Mauro,

Great photos from Somalia!

Since we are already in East Africa we should probably have some Ethiopian warriors as well.

Thanks for the kind words Jim, I think we are very lucky to be interested in an area of collecting where photography managed to coexist for a while with period dress and weapons.

22nd October 2011, 04:39 PM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	Thanks Charles! Time for the next batch. A bit of an eclectic grouping this time. EDIT: Photo order messed up again. Should be fairly obvious though from what's on the cards I hope. First, a Tuareg attack posed for the camera. Second Mandingo riders in the region of Segon (can't seem to find exactly where that is now). Third heavy knights in padded armor in Niger. I believe this is originally from a 1926 National Geographic trip around Niamey. Fourth, a truly excellent French Colonial image with French posing with foot soldiers with lances and mounted knights. Notice the Tuareg style hide shield. The men are from the Zarma, a Songhai people. They founded the Dosso kingdom in 1750 and led much of the resistance to the expanding power of Sokoto in the 1800s. Fifth, an incredible image from the highland grasslands of Cameroon showing an un identified ethnic group (anyone have any clues based on the clothing? Maybe Tikar?). The one man is holding a brass hilted wide bladed takouba. These swords certainly got around! Sixth, a Mossi warrior from the Hombori region. Attached Images Last edited by Lew; 28th October 2011 at 06:38 PM.

25th October 2011, 07:53 PM	#3
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	Hmm, I was hoping this thread would stay alive a little longer. May as well throw up a few pictures from the Sudan and Somalia. Probably familiar to most folks here already, but maybe a few are not. Attached Images

28th October 2011, 03:34 PM	#4
Mauro Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 83	some photos also from my side. 1. This is an ald postcard but I do not know the age. The style is similar to the photos made during the Italian invasion of Ethiopia but this is coming from France. It could be the same age or even earlier. 2.Somalian warrior with a nice belawa 3.Touareg warrior with his shield and takouba 4.Tuareg warrior on a camel 5. An astonishing beautyfull Touareg girl. Simply a lovely photo !! Attached Images

28th October 2011, 06:26 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,296	I must admit I have remiss in not commenting on these magnificent photos Iain has shared here as from the outset I seem to have experienced the 'Stendahl thing'!!! (=Stendahls syndrome, being overwhelmed by exposure to overpowering doses of fantastic art). It is amazing to experience the weapons and objects we study here effectively in 'real time', almost as if via time machine. Thank you Iain, and everybody here who has continued this most valuable thread. I honestly hope it keeps going, kinda like a movie you dont want to end I find the mail armor of the Sudan interesting, and that so many observers from the time of these expeditions perceived much of it as 'from the crusades'. Hopefully they meant 'of the type' rather than actual remnants of that time. During the Mahdiyya there was a considerable number of coats of mail produced in Birmingham for the Khedive of Egypts forces. To the dismay of the Khedives 'iron men' the armor proved disastrous when hit by bullets and the rings shattered and greatly worsened the wounding power. Regarding the quilted armor, it is interesting about the potential for fire from fire arrows, and carrying the water to douse flaming warriors. I had heard of this in the use of padded armor in the Spanish southwest as well. Please keep this thread going guys!!!! All the best, Jim Last edited by Jim McDougall; 28th October 2011 at 06:59 PM.

28th October 2011, 07:03 PM	#6
Mauro Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 83	I just noted that the tuareg mounting a camel, and with his own takouba, was not uploaded. I also upload another tuareg group. I love these old photos !! Attached Images

22nd October 2011, 03:14 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	I just can't say enough about the pics....thanks so much for sharing.

29th October 2011, 12:43 PM	#7
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	Hi Mauro, Great photos from Somalia! Since we are already in East Africa we should probably have some Ethiopian warriors as well. Thanks for the kind words Jim, I think we are very lucky to be interested in an area of collecting where photography managed to coexist for a while with period dress and weapons. Attached Images