Need info ASAP, novice on ground in Tuareg country!

[Emanuel]

Hi Xerg,

Excuse our assumption, your post left things a bit unclear in regards to haggling. I'm not sure you'd find much Touareg work in Morocco, but you'd probably be able to find other decent Berber work. Search this forum for "berber sword", "nimcha" and "flyssa". If you can find Algerian flyssa's at fair prices, drop me a line!

The only book I can recommend on African weapons is "African Arms and Armour" by Christopher Spring, because it's the only dedicated one I own. You can also look at George Cameron Stone's "A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration, and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries and in All Times" for a good overview of most edged weapons.

Regards,
Emanuel

[Dom]

Originally Posted by Manolo

Hi Xerg, I'm not sure you'd find much Touareg work in Morocco, but you'd probably be able to find other decent Berber work. Search this forum for "berber sword", "nimcha" and "flyssa". If you can find Algerian flyssa's at fair prices, drop me a line!
Regards,
Emanuel

Dear Emanuel
allowed me to bring some precision(s)

about Touareg dispatching (historical roots, and present presence)
the Touareg population 1 to 1,5 millions peoples was strewed over 4 States covering 2 millions square kilometres,
- 30 000 in Libye,
- 50 000 in Algérie,
- 500 000 à 600 000 in Mali,
- 700 000 à 750 000 in Niger
but also ...a very old community in North of Burkina Faso ± 20 000
due to circonstances as well as; dryness 70/80's, civil war 90's pushed tribes residing in Mali and Niger to emigrated to
- Algeria 60 000
- Libya 10 000
- Burkina Faso 40 000
- Mauritania 40 000 ..... Mauritania is the South of Morocco

about "berber sword", "flyssa",
the "flyssa" is more dedicated to Kabyle, who are "Berbers", but mountain dwellers from North of Algeria, and have nothing related to Touareg,
the opportunity to get one "flyssa" at over 2000 km from where it's should be localized will be rare

I spent 6 years in deep South Algeria (94 to 97 & 01 to 04)
my trips gave me chance to find and buy some Beber jewellery, but
I never get an opportunity to made an offer for a "flyssa" for the simple raison, than I never saw one
but plenty takouba for tourist, even if those was very few

in fact, I believe that we have to have more chance to found in Occident at reasonable price some good stuff, than on spot

Best Regards

à +

Dom

[Emanuel]

Hello Dom,

Thanks for the precision. You confirm my thoughts that there aren't significant numbers of Touareg in Morocco.

By "berber sword" I was referring to these types of swords: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...48&postcount=9 not the flyssa. I am somewhat obsessed with the flyssa, hence my request that Xerg look out for one. I figured something is bound to show up in some souk or other, especially considering the large tourist industry in Morocco.

Whereabouts in the South did you live? I remember a bit about Tamanrasset. I'm born in Oran, on the coast, so I feel a keen need to go back and spend some time in Algeria. I'm hoping that in Petite Kabylie at least there may still be some old blades to be found.

All the best,
Emanuel

[Dom]

Originally Posted by Manolo

Whereabouts in the South did you live? I remember a bit about Tamanrasset. I'm born in Oran, on the coast, so I feel a keen need to go back and spend some time in Algeria. I'm hoping that in Petite Kabylie at least there may still be some old blades to be found.

All the best,
Emanuel

Hi Emanuel
my HQ was established in Hassi Messaoud,
and my customer's camps was; In Amenas, In Salah and some where (in fact middle of nowhere ... ),
but also Hassi R'Mel, not to far from Gardahyia (capital of M'Zaab country)

Hassi Messaoud souks are completely fresh out of artifacs, as I said,
I found some in Ouargla, mainly jewellery, nothing in In Amenas souks, as well as Hassi R'Mel, Gardahyia,
just one targui dagger from Tibesti (called "loï bo") that I get from In Salah

forget to expect to found some old blade from "petite or even grande" Kabylie, too many officers from my staff was coming from those areas,
they was knowing my adiction
but never been able to find me something ... and you know ... when you are the "boss" every staff try to please you

à +

Dom