European bladed takouba

TVV · 29th December 2011, 04:46 PM

If I had to make a guess on the journey of this blade (and at this point we are all only making guesses), I would think that it is most likely to have entered the Western Sahel through the Maghreb. We all know about the activity of North African corsairs during the 16th century, when they sacked many Mediterranean coastal towns. While this type of sword was not in vogue, it is not improbable that many such swords were still in use a century to century and a half after their manufacture. The plunder that just the Barbarossa brothers brought to North Africa must have surpassed any trophies from the Eighth Crusade by a large factor.
In his book, Smaldone points out the trade links of the Sahelian Muslim Kingdoms and Empires with the Maghreb, and most of that trade was controlled by the Tuaregs. It is not difficult to imagine how this blade may have entered the Sahel through trade with Morocco for example.
Anyway, since we are all throwing theories, I thought I'd throw in mine as well.
Regards,
Teodor

29th December 2011, 04:46 PM	#16
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,666	If I had to make a guess on the journey of this blade (and at this point we are all only making guesses), I would think that it is most likely to have entered the Western Sahel through the Maghreb. We all know about the activity of North African corsairs during the 16th century, when they sacked many Mediterranean coastal towns. While this type of sword was not in vogue, it is not improbable that many such swords were still in use a century to century and a half after their manufacture. The plunder that just the Barbarossa brothers brought to North Africa must have surpassed any trophies from the Eighth Crusade by a large factor. In his book, Smaldone points out the trade links of the Sahelian Muslim Kingdoms and Empires with the Maghreb, and most of that trade was controlled by the Tuaregs. It is not difficult to imagine how this blade may have entered the Sahel through trade with Morocco for example. Anyway, since we are all throwing theories, I thought I'd throw in mine as well. Regards, Teodor