Heavy old sword from Kano

[Iain]

Hi Martin,

I think I have seen most of these swords before but thanks for the new pictures and interesting stories about them.

I have a few comments and ideas...

First about the large supposedly Fulani sword from Kano. I think the story you were told might not be a fairy tale. The Fulani inside Hausa states did not enjoy the same privileges as the Hausa and often engaged as pastoral herders and livestock owners. The usually lived in separate sections of towns and often had their own villages. In Gobir, they were forbidden to carry arms, the city where Usuman dan Fodiyo grew up.

Perhaps one theory could be that this style of sword was derived from the arm daggers and was simple and easy to make for the Fulani. The takouba of the Hausa would perhaps not be something they normally used if their access to weaponry was legally restricted? Of course it would then be logical that they would adopt the takouba as they conquered Hausa states.

The two swords from Maroua are of course fantastic weapons and I think I have mentioned before that the shorter one is maybe from the Mudang people. I remember from older pictures you showed some years ago there was still some material on the hilts of these two swords? Was it just rust? Or leather? A pity it could not be preserved.

As for what would work in battle... I think like most weapons, much of it is about the user, maybe as much as the weapon.

Best,

Iain

[Martin Lubojacky]

Hi Iain,

Thank you. There was no material on handles of those two swords. If it was there, I would do my best to preserve it. Maybe you think about this http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12296 or another one (I cannot find the thread), which belongs to my friend, now.

Best regards,
Martin

[Iain]

Hi Martin,

I was thinking of this photo and I thought it was the same swords.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...id=41037&stc=1


I wanted to write a little more about why the Fulani were militarily different from the takouba using Hausa. During the Jihad and particularly at the beginning, the Fulani did not have heavy cavalry or even foot soldiers with heavy spears for countering the cavalry. They relied on archers and very basic infantry. This could be seen particularly in the early battles with Gobir. The Fulani often made good use of the terrain and high ground to make it very difficult for the heavily armored Gobir cavalry and Tuareg mercenaries.

This again gives me a reason to see how this style of sword could have been popular, like a big knife really. The Fulani were really not a strong military force to start with, but they were excellent with tactics and their use of the bow is a little like the English against the French in Medieval times.

Best,

Iain

[Martin Lubojacky]

Hi Iain,

yes, the two swords are the same. And you are right (I apologize) - there was an iron roll around the grip of the heavier sword. I removed it, since I wanted to see the state of the iron grip and I decided to clean it, then. Then we can see the handle of iron mace from Rhoumsiki, I think, and the first heavy sword from Kano.

You have deep knowledge about the relationship between Hausa and Fulani. I think your info really support what "the elders" in Nigeria told me about this heavy knife-style sword.
Regards,
Martin

[Iain]

Hi Martin,

Thanks for confirming, I was just wondering what the material was.

There is a great online resource about the Fulani Jihad here: http://www.webpulaaku.net/defte/hasJohnston/toc.html

Very good read!

Best,

Iain