Seeking translation assistance on African Kaskara blade

[Edster]

Kubur's note of the commemorative quality of the inscription and date (1787) has historical merit. Here's a quote from a Wiki article on the Hamaj Regency who essentially controlled the Funj Kingdom.

"Rajab's campaign in 1785 marked the end of attempts by the Hamaj to control Kordofan, which was soon after (1787) conquered by the Keira Sultanate of Darfur, which thereafter exercised effective control over all of the territory west of the White Nile. the beginning of the loss of territory to the Funj state which culminated, in 1821, with the sultans and regents controlling little outside the city of Sennar itself.[8]

More on the Hamaj of the Funj
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamaj_Regency

While it may be an historical stretch, the sword may have been made in Ali Dinar's workshop in Darfur (c. 1898-1900) to commemorate his ancestors control of Kordofan and maybe his right to control it after the fall of the Mahdiya.

[RSWORD]

Originally Posted by Edster

Kubur's note of the commemorative quality of the inscription and date (1787) has historical merit. Here's a quote from a Wiki article on the Hamaj Regency who essentially controlled the Funj Kingdom.

"Rajab's campaign in 1785 marked the end of attempts by the Hamaj to control Kordofan, which was soon after (1787) conquered by the Keira Sultanate of Darfur, which thereafter exercised effective control over all of the territory west of the White Nile. the beginning of the loss of territory to the Funj state which culminated, in 1821, with the sultans and regents controlling little outside the city of Sennar itself.[8]

More on the Hamaj of the Funj
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamaj_Regency

While it may be an historical stretch, the sword may have been made in Ali Dinar's workshop in Darfur (c. 1898-1900) to commemorate his ancestors control of Kordofan and maybe his right to control it after the fall of the Mahdiya.

Thanks Easter for some historical context for that date along with additional theories about this blade. I have owned an Ali Dinar signed blade and the quality of the inscription on this sword is on par with that piece. That very well could be a possibility.

[kwiatek]

Thanks for extra photos. The name is “Malik Ahmad Ibrahim”. The first 2 in the date 1202 is a bit oddly written, it has a strange “tail” underneath, so I’m not completely confident of the reading

[RSWORD]

Originally Posted by kwiatek

Thanks for extra photos. The name is “Malik Ahmad Ibrahim”. The first 2 in the date 1202 is a bit oddly written, it has a strange “tail” underneath, so I’m not completely confident of the reading

Thank you Kwiatek for the additional information about the name. The translations you provide are super helpful and much appreciated!

[kwiatek]

Pleasure! Thanks for sharing images of your sword, very interesting piece

[Pieje]

Nice sword!
I agree it's probably a commemorative date.

I have a similar one, dated 1810, with reference to sultan Muhammad al-Fadl, who indeed reigned between ca. 1801 and 1838.