Sudan Mahdist daggers

Aleksey · 10th September 2014, 09:18 PM

Dear Ed,

We need to compare the actual Fuzzy-Wuzzy knives in XIX century and modern knives.

AFAIK they used straight knives in 1880th onwards.

Then we shood seek for such knives in Museums of Sudan and ajacent countries as European collections could boast only the itrems of the end of XIX century.

And at last we should understand what "shotel" means in Arabic language? Is it a word from classic Arabic language or is it being spread only among Sudanese Arabs?

The Fuzzi-Wuzzy legend seems to be very modern and ethimologistic - to my mind they borrowed the thing alongside with the name and them "explained" the meaning by so called foulk ethimology.

In any case I am glad to talk with you especially after getting acquainted with your notes about Kassala

P.S. could you post the emblem of E.A.C. here?

Aleksey · 11th September 2014, 10:15 AM

I am awfully sorry - I forgot the attachement!

So please find enclosed the mural painting from Ura Kidhane Mihret Monastery, Tana Lake, depicting the classic Ethiopian shotel:

Edster · 7th August 2025, 03:53 AM

To brings things up to date. A while back I saw a collection of Sudanese cap badges one of which was the soat'al of the Eastern Arab Corps of the Sudanese Defence Force. Likely collected by Gen. Gifford during his East Africa service in WW1.

I would appreciate if someone would extract the #947 image and post to show the badge.

https://lockdales.auctioneersvault.c...s/page0043.pdf

Eastern Arab Corps Wiki.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Arab_Corps

Quote from Wiki "The Eastern Arab Corps represents a key institution in the formation and development of the Sudanese Armed Forces. Originating in the 1890s as a founding unit of the Sudan Defence Force, the Eastern Arab Corps was spearheaded by Beni Amer tribesmen of the Eastern Sudan. The insignia of the Eastern Arab Corps was the Shotal, a famous curved dagger used in Eastern Sudan.[2]" End Quote

The Double C grip likely originated in Kassala at least during WW1 by Beni Amer influence.

Best,
Ed

Norman McCormick · 7th August 2025, 12:18 PM

Hi Ed,
There doesn't appear to be an item no 947 on the page displayed, can you give the date of the actual auction as out would be easier to pull an image off an auction results catalogue.
Regards,
Norman.

Edster · 7th August 2025, 03:01 PM

Norman,

Sorry. It's item 974. Am I dyslexic or what?

Ed

Norman McCormick · 7th August 2025, 04:19 PM

Hi Ed,
Not great quality I'm afraid.
Regards,
Norman.

Edster · 7th August 2025, 04:54 PM

Thanks Norman!!

7th August 2025, 04:19 PM	#6
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,646	Hi Ed, Not great quality I'm afraid. Regards, Norman. Attached Images

10th September 2014, 09:18 PM	#1
Aleksey Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 15	Dear Ed, We need to compare the actual Fuzzy-Wuzzy knives in XIX century and modern knives. AFAIK they used straight knives in 1880th onwards. Then we shood seek for such knives in Museums of Sudan and ajacent countries as European collections could boast only the itrems of the end of XIX century. And at last we should understand what "shotel" means in Arabic language? Is it a word from classic Arabic language or is it being spread only among Sudanese Arabs? The Fuzzi-Wuzzy legend seems to be very modern and ethimologistic - to my mind they borrowed the thing alongside with the name and them "explained" the meaning by so called foulk ethimology. In any case I am glad to talk with you especially after getting acquainted with your notes about Kassala P.S. could you post the emblem of E.A.C. here?

11th September 2014, 10:15 AM	#2
Aleksey Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 15	I am awfully sorry - I forgot the attachement! So please find enclosed the mural painting from Ura Kidhane Mihret Monastery, Tana Lake, depicting the classic Ethiopian shotel:

7th August 2025, 03:53 AM	#3
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 440	To brings things up to date. A while back I saw a collection of Sudanese cap badges one of which was the soat'al of the Eastern Arab Corps of the Sudanese Defence Force. Likely collected by Gen. Gifford during his East Africa service in WW1. I would appreciate if someone would extract the #947 image and post to show the badge. https://lockdales.auctioneersvault.c...s/page0043.pdf Eastern Arab Corps Wiki. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Arab_Corps Quote from Wiki "The Eastern Arab Corps represents a key institution in the formation and development of the Sudanese Armed Forces. Originating in the 1890s as a founding unit of the Sudan Defence Force, the Eastern Arab Corps was spearheaded by Beni Amer tribesmen of the Eastern Sudan. The insignia of the Eastern Arab Corps was the Shotal, a famous curved dagger used in Eastern Sudan.[2]" End Quote The Double C grip likely originated in Kassala at least during WW1 by Beni Amer influence. Best, Ed

7th August 2025, 12:18 PM	#4
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,646	Hi Ed, There doesn't appear to be an item no 947 on the page displayed, can you give the date of the actual auction as out would be easier to pull an image off an auction results catalogue. Regards, Norman.

7th August 2025, 03:01 PM	#5
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 440	Norman, Sorry. It's item 974. Am I dyslexic or what? Ed

7th August 2025, 04:54 PM	#7
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 440	Thanks Norman!!