Sword from Angola. Chokwe, Salampasu?

gp · 16th February 2025, 02:30 AM

here are 2 nice Yakas from my collection, although the one on the right has found a new owner ( happy to transfer it to a fellow forum member where it fits better in his collection)

Pertinax · 16th February 2025, 01:24 PM

Yaka with swords

Pertinax · 17th February 2025, 04:42 PM

Got the sword.

Well, what can I say – a real African gladius.

In general, the sword pleasantly surprised me with its quality of manufacture. If you don’t take into account swords with European blades, then, perhaps, such quality of forging is rare for Africa, except for Berber fleece.

A fully functional item, definitely not a souvenir.

Overall length – 580 mm, blade length – 455 mm, blade thickness – 6-7 mm, weight – 508 g

The wooden handle is covered with leather. Upon careful inspection, I came to the conclusion that the pommel could have been in the shape of a cone, but was broken off during use.

In the thread about Baule http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8143, participants expressed the opinion that the handle has nails for upholstery from the 19th century, clearly of European manufacture. Looking at swords with similar decor on the handle, I thought that the items were made +/- at the same time and in the same region, by different tribes. Such nails are not found on later items.

As a version - at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century, traders brought a batch of nails for upholstery to this region, and local blacksmiths began to use them in decorating swords.

What are the opinions?

Ian · 17th February 2025, 05:00 PM

Nice sword Pertinax, and the patina on the hilt and blade do suggest some age. The presence of these upholstery nails does seem to indicate a late 19th/early 20th C foreign influence. Perhaps it was simpler (and cheaper) to use brass nails to embellish the hilts rather than some of the traditional cast brass/bronze elements. There appears to be residue from an old polishing compound between and around the nails, again an influence from outside the culture.

Pertinax · 17th February 2025, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Nice sword Pertinax, and the patina on the hilt and blade do suggest some age. The presence of these upholstery nails does seem to indicate a late 19th/early 20th C foreign influence. Perhaps it was simpler (and cheaper) to use brass nails to embellish the hilts rather than some of the traditional cast brass/bronze elements. There appears to be residue from an old polishing compound between and around the nails, again an influence from outside the culture.

This is not an old polishing compound, this is leather. The handle is wooden, covered with leather.

Ian · 17th February 2025, 05:45 PM

I was referring to the white material that surrounds many of the nail heads. I realize that the base is leather, but the white material is not leather. Another possibility is mildew resulting from some moisture on the hilt.

Pertinax · 17th February 2025, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

I was referring to the white material that surrounds many of the nail heads. I realize that the base is leather, but the white material is not leather. Another possibility is mildew resulting from some moisture on the hilt.

This is mold on old leather.

Do you think, Ian, that we can determine the age of swords like this by the upholstery tacks?

16th February 2025, 02:30 AM	#1
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 830	here are 2 nice Yakas from my collection, although the one on the right has found a new owner ( happy to transfer it to a fellow forum member where it fits better in his collection) Attached Images

16th February 2025, 01:24 PM	#2
Pertinax Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: City by the Black Sea Posts: 246	Yaka with swords Attached Images

17th February 2025, 04:42 PM	#3
Pertinax Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: City by the Black Sea Posts: 246	Got the sword. Well, what can I say – a real African gladius. In general, the sword pleasantly surprised me with its quality of manufacture. If you don’t take into account swords with European blades, then, perhaps, such quality of forging is rare for Africa, except for Berber fleece. A fully functional item, definitely not a souvenir. Overall length – 580 mm, blade length – 455 mm, blade thickness – 6-7 mm, weight – 508 g The wooden handle is covered with leather. Upon careful inspection, I came to the conclusion that the pommel could have been in the shape of a cone, but was broken off during use. In the thread about Baule http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8143, participants expressed the opinion that the handle has nails for upholstery from the 19th century, clearly of European manufacture. Looking at swords with similar decor on the handle, I thought that the items were made +/- at the same time and in the same region, by different tribes. Such nails are not found on later items. As a version - at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century, traders brought a batch of nails for upholstery to this region, and local blacksmiths began to use them in decorating swords. What are the opinions? Attached Images

17th February 2025, 05:00 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	Nice sword Pertinax, and the patina on the hilt and blade do suggest some age. The presence of these upholstery nails does seem to indicate a late 19th/early 20th C foreign influence. Perhaps it was simpler (and cheaper) to use brass nails to embellish the hilts rather than some of the traditional cast brass/bronze elements. There appears to be residue from an old polishing compound between and around the nails, again an influence from outside the culture.

17th February 2025, 05:45 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	I was referring to the white material that surrounds many of the nail heads. I realize that the base is leather, but the white material is not leather. Another possibility is mildew resulting from some moisture on the hilt.