SWORD FOR DISCUSSION

[Iain]

Definitely Mandingo, based on the bronze pommel nub and the distinctive ribbing of the leather work.

There have been some theories about the type possibly being related to Omani saifs and kattaras spread by Arab traders. I am personally not entirely convinced of this.

Others will doubtless be able to say more about the blade.

This example is slightly unusual in that the hilt looks to be wood? Most examples encountered have leather covered hilts.

[Taffjones]

Hi Iain,
Yes the hilt is wood with a metal type end pommel
Thanks

Darren

[Gavin Nugent]

Hi Darren.

This is an interesting and complete sword and the pipe back is certainly a twist being EU in origin but the sword style overall taking the form of the much discussed Kattara.

What is the white coloured binding around the ribbing? Is it coloured leather?

Originally Posted by Iain

There have been some theories about the type possibly being related to Omani saifs and kattaras spread by Arab traders. I am personally not entirely convinced of this.

Slave trading is a sensitive topic but one most are versed to some degree in when researching the history of weapons.
Looking at the very long history of Arab/African slavery, right up until very modern times I see the influence of these traders leaving such residue in Mandingo weapons. Many Africans took part in these trades so it seems likely also weapons of those they interacted with stayed behind.

I have lost track of edged weapons types from other regions in Mandingo dress. It seem they loved all sorts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_slave_trade
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_and_slavery

Gavin

[Iain]

Originally Posted by freebooter

Slave trading is a sensitive topic but one most are versed to some degree in when researching the history of weapons.
Looking at the very long history of Arab/African slavery, right up until very modern times I see the influence of these traders leaving such residue in Mandingo weapons. Many Africans took part in these trades so it seems likely also weapons of those they interacted with stayed behind.

I have lost track of edged weapons types from other regions in Mandingo dress. It seem they loved all sorts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_slave_trade

Gavin

Hi Gav,

I'm not throwing the idea out completely... But looking on the other side on the discussions we've had here about kattara - those in the region had actually wondered if there was influence the other way - from Africa! That's why I'm a bit on the fence about it. I'm no expert on the subject of the West African slave trade besides being familiar with the central Sahel aspects. However - My understanding from reading period sources like Barth, is that the trade in these regions was more likely to move north if not directly off the coasts and was conducted with North African Arabs and Berbers. The Oman/Zanzibar connection I haven't run across much mention of being active in West Africa rather in East Africa. And even for those that slaves that were moved east the transport and control was done by local elements like the Dyula merchants.

That is not to say Omani merchants and slavers didn't perhaps turn up in Mandingo areas - I honestly don't know enough about it, but the shape of these weapons and the relatively simple design is not something that could not be arrived at locally. In much the same way that the kattara design seems to follow the function of mounting trade blades, perhaps the same was the case for these Mandingo weapons.

There are also a lot of variants with them, different styles to the pommel pieces and from deeper into West Africa mounts with more pronounced pommels and guards.

All the best,

Iain

[Taffjones]

Hi Gavin,
Just checked the white decoration and disappointed to find it is a type of plastic.
This should help with the dating me thinks.

Thanks
Darren

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Taffjones

Hi Gavin,
Just checked the white decoration and disappointed to find it is a type of plastic.
This should help with the dating me thinks.

Thanks
Darren

Indeed it does Darren....but there appears to be some honest wear and tear though...

I'll digest and ponder your thoughts Iain.
Perhaps combined with Arab slavery or as a stand alone aspect, I wonder if the conversion to Islam had something to do with exposure to the Kattara form? From teacher, scholars and other travellers too?

Gavin

[Iain]

Originally Posted by freebooter

Indeed it does Darren....but there appears to be some honest wear and tear though...

I'll digest and ponder your thoughts Iain.
Perhaps combined with Arab slavery or as a stand alone aspect, I wonder if the conversion to Islam had something to do with exposure to the Kattara form? From teacher, scholars and other travellers too?

Gavin

Hi Gav,

Could certainly have happened that way! I'm honestly haven't focused on accounts of Arabs in these regions when I've been going through period materials. I will try to take a look later and see what I can find. Although most of the material I have on hand would relate more to Hausa areas. Its always been a puzzle to me why the takouba didn't take off in these regions, since it seems to have done so pretty much everywhere else in surrounding areas and ethnic groups, particularly after the Fulani jihads - but that's another topic and I don't want to derail this thread. So I've always been a little intrigued by Mandingo mounts as they are so different to anything else in the area. If they are the result of Arab influence, my question would be why don't we see these mount styles further east in the Sahel along the trade routes? Why does it only appear fairly far west?

Darren,

My guess is these weapons had the mounts refreshed with some regularity just like other swords in the Sahel region. My understanding is that the heat and atmospheric conditions are pretty tough on leather and it wears out and ages quickly.

Could also be just a new decorative element added later to an older scabbard.

Its certainly an old blade and the whole ensemble looks to have good age.