Sahara daggers "telek"

[Iain]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Thanks to those who have commented on these daggers. I note the hilt form is similar to that on Tuareg saddles (see image attached). There is a dagger like mine illustrated in the book "Waffen aus Zentral-Afrika" published by Museum fur Volkerkunde 1985, in which it is described as from Bornu..

I have noticed a feature on my daggers, also to be found on different types of Sahel/Sahara spears, ie. those two brass rounded protusions on either side of the blade socket. Can anyone shed some light on their purpose - symbolic in some way ?

On the Bornu attribution; my impression is that the designations in that title are based purely on the collection locale. Obviously with a wide ranging group like the Tuareg this means there's a real potential for a dagger to show up fairly far away from where it was made.

The cruciform hilts are similar to the saddles. I believe the construction is similar as well in terms of wood being utilized.

Not sure on the brass discs but it is certainly a common feature. It shows up in Dogon spears and those of other groups as well.

[Emanuel]

Hi Colin,

In the context of Touareg daggers, saddles and jewellery, the design evokes the "Agadez cross". It is a very old symbol in Touareg culture, possibly pre-Islamic. 21 Specific types are identified, based on geographic provenance. An internet search on "Agadez cross", "croix d'Agadez" or "Rouareg cross" brings up a fair bit of info.

Cheers!
Emanuel

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by Emanuel

Hi Colin,

In the context of Touareg daggers, saddles and jewellery, the design evokes the "Agadez cross". It is a very old symbol in Touareg culture, possibly pre-Islamic. 21 Specific types are identified, based on geographic provenance. An internet search on "Agadez cross", "croix d'Agadez" or "Rouareg cross" brings up a fair bit of info.

Cheers!
Emanuel

A good point Emanuel. Interesting that this cross form also appears on the Nupe dagger posted by Tim.

In addition to the small brass domes appearing on weapons from the region, I have noted another peculiarity often to be found on some items of material culture (including weapons) from the Sahara/Sahel, ie. the use of green dyed leather and pieces of red cloth. These had puzzled me, one possible answer may be they are amuletic in origin, offering protection from the "evil eye". Here is an extract from the comprehensive book on the subject "Amulets and Superstitions" by E. A. Wallis Budge, 1978 reprint (chapter on Arab and Persian Amulets and Talismans).

Further contributions on these subjects are welcome...