Kaskara with interesting marks

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams All, I have to say that this is a most interesting set of blade marks but where is the originator? There are many excellent additions to this thread but zero response. People are more than willing to research and add their notes but it really is a two way street and if thread authors don't respond it is somewhat a poor show in this regard.

That said; I have the notion that Jims attribution is spot on and support that with the following item... That of Johannes the 4th in the 19thC and the accolade amongst his followers that he was in fact looked upon as The Lion of Judea.

Type into search Johannes the 4th of Ethiopia or see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yohannes_IV
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you very much for these interesting views, and I think Kubur may have a point in degree with the suggestion of the Axumite characters which are indeed like Roman numerals in a number of instances among them.

Ibrahiim, I think your zero response note are refers to the odd lack of response by the thread originator, which while curious, does seem to happen on many occasions.
I always hope for the best, and that they have simply forgotten about the post or perhaps computer issues or travelling might preclude their response.

In any case, I am glad to have this blade posted, as it has been years since one like it was discussed, so good to have opportunity for new insights.

I really appreciate the great images, and the note on this Ethiopian king being referred to as the Lion of Judah. I have the impression these blades are commemorative rather than talismanic and celebrate this king who was killed in battle against Mahdist forces.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams all..before I forget there is this excellent article on our own pages at

http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/kaskara/

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Edster]

As previous respondents have observed the inscription is not Amharic script and appears to be a repetition of the Roman numerals for 12. The original owner had the artisan go to considerable effort to inscribe the XII motif. It apparently reflected considerable meaning to him.

As Ethiopia is a Christian nation with Jewish elements, I suggest that this is Hebrew and/or Christian numerology. The attached link discusses the significance of the number 12. Other searches will reveal Ethiopian numerology context.
http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/m...-bible/12.html

Best,
Ed

[DaveS]

Jim: Sorry for not responding sooner, as i've been traveling these last couple of weeks to shows. It's unfortunate that on some swords such as this one that these marks will probably never be completly understood. When i first saw these markings i first thought they looked like roman numerals, and had to be some kind of talasmanic thing, but some of the above comments make me think that maybe they could be an old ethiopean style of dialect. I have a dozen or so kaskaras and have seen many more, but none with this kind of lettering. I have a gurade that has what i think is coptic script that i will post pictures of next week...........Dave.

[Jim McDougall]

Ed,
Thank you so much!!! Brilliantly observed, and I confess I had not thought of Roman numerals used in repetitive linear motif. The note on the significance of numerology in Christian and Hebrew religions is indeed an important factor and particularly here in what may be invocative or commemorative.
It is interesting that the thuluth covered blades known in the Sudan are also using similar invocative repetitive style using Quranic phrases or wording.
I really appreciate your input on this, as your knowledge on the weapons of these regions is always key in our discussions.

Dave,
Thank you for the note and hope your trips have been successful.
As mentioned, often these kinds of situations are the case, and as this example was most interesting we were anxious to know your response as well as any further details.
Looking forward to your posts with any other examples as we continue to look into these Ethiopian inscriptions on arms.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Ed,
Thank you so much!!! Brilliantly observed, and I confess I had not thought of Roman numerals used in repetitive linear motif. The note on the significance of numerology in Christian and Hebrew religions is indeed an important factor and particularly here in what may be invocative or commemorative.
It is interesting that the thuluth covered blades known in the Sudan are also using similar invocative repetitive style using Quranic phrases or wording.
I really appreciate your input on this, as your knowledge on the weapons of these regions is always key in our discussions.

Dave,
Thank you for the note and hope your trips have been successful.
As mentioned, often these kinds of situations are the case, and as this example was most interesting we were anxious to know your response as well as any further details.
Looking forward to your posts with any other examples as we continue to look into these Ethiopian inscriptions on arms.

It is clear that Roman numerals played a key part in decorating blades in these regions...I mean that is how my brain works relating the Christian situation in the Holy Roman Empire ~ but is that the case...? www.geez.com puts it a little differently Quote'' Ethiopic numerals have a familiar quality about them that seems to catch the eye and pique the imagination of the first-time viewer. In particular, the bars above and below the letter-like symbols appear reminiscent of their Roman counterparts. The symbols in between the bars, however, are clearly not of Roman origin. The shapes appear Ethiopic but only half seem to correspond to Ethiopic syllables and in an incomprehensible order.

The Tuareg/Berber symbol repertoire appears to be drawn from overlapping categories that include Eastern Arabic and Perso-Arabic numerals and possibly Western digits and Indian Devanagari numbers as well; Arabic letters; Tifinagh characters; and the Islamic Seven Seals (the
ism al-aʿẓ amor Greatest Name).

Are the numbers not a corrupted pattern derived of the Seven Seals?

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

In many ways the key to understanding on these weapons and other Sahel variants is on http://iainnorman.com/