strange sudanic (?) sword

stephen wood · 25th February 2009, 05:14 PM

...no, I thought I saw something on the crosspiece

Martin Lubojacky · 26th February 2009, 12:30 PM

Post facto I am hereby sending several pictures. The lowest sword is from Kano (Nigeria), upper three items are from Provincie Extreme North (Cameroon; mace and longer sword from Mandara). The first sword down from top and the fourth (lowest) are very heavy, the blade being very thick. The length of the first one (always down from top; the shortest) is 70 cm. They say the mace has been used during ceremonial occasions, but it is forcible and wighty weapon. I am also a attaching tips and handles + two pictures of examples of current daggers from Mandara - Cameroon/Nigeria northern borderland. The second sword from the top should be (?) from Jihad movement lead by Fulani accross West Africa during the first half of 19 century (said Mandara villager).

Regards,

Martin

stephen wood · 26th February 2009, 02:57 PM

Wow

...mine looks rather like the top sword

Tim Simmons · 26th February 2009, 05:19 PM

Great post Martin!!! Love the mace, you have some nice things.

Lew · 26th February 2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Lubojacky

but it is forcible and wighty weapon. I am also a attaching tips and handles + two pictures of examples of current daggers from Mandara - Cameroon/Nigeria northern borderland. The second sword from the top should be (?) from Jihad movement lead by Fulani accross West Africa during the first half of 19 century (said Mandara villager).

Regards,

Martin

Martin

Your daggers are quite interesting and probably from the Kirdi tribe. Can we see what the blade looks like on the two please.

Lew

Martin Lubojacky · 27th February 2009, 09:09 AM

Hello Lew,

Enclosed please find the photo. Smaller blade was sharp and relatively clean, bigger one "blunt" and before I cleaned it - very rusty. I acquired the smaller one in Rhumsiki (Roumsiki), the bigger one was bought from Adamawa man, but in Abuja.

Regards,

Martin

Jim McDougall · 27th February 2009, 02:02 PM

Outstanding examples and beautifully posted Martin!!!
I very much like the way you have carefully grouped these as well as adding comments and observations. The swords and daggers of these regions are typically not well represented in much of the literature that I have seen, especially with the degree of diffusion that often seems confounding in identifying examples.
What you have added has really helped, and I very much appreciate being able to add such helpful information to my notes, thank you !

All the very best,
Jim

Martin Lubojacky · 27th February 2009, 05:27 PM

Thank you Jim
Regards,
Martin

Tim Simmons · 27th February 2009, 07:32 PM

Following Martin, I have this piece I got from Luc some years ago. Blade length 46cm. What I like about it most is the use of the top part of a {bovine} horn for the grip.

26th February 2009, 12:30 PM	#2
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Post facto I am hereby sending several pictures. The lowest sword is from Kano (Nigeria), upper three items are from Provincie Extreme North (Cameroon; mace and longer sword from Mandara). The first sword down from top and the fourth (lowest) are very heavy, the blade being very thick. The length of the first one (always down from top; the shortest) is 70 cm. They say the mace has been used during ceremonial occasions, but it is forcible and wighty weapon. I am also a attaching tips and handles + two pictures of examples of current daggers from Mandara - Cameroon/Nigeria northern borderland. The second sword from the top should be (?) from Jihad movement lead by Fulani accross West Africa during the first half of 19 century (said Mandara villager). Regards, Martin Attached Images

27th February 2009, 09:09 AM	#6
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Hello Lew, Enclosed please find the photo. Smaller blade was sharp and relatively clean, bigger one "blunt" and before I cleaned it - very rusty. I acquired the smaller one in Rhumsiki (Roumsiki), the bigger one was bought from Adamawa man, but in Abuja. Regards, Martin Attached Images

27th February 2009, 07:32 PM	#9
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Following Martin, I have this piece I got from Luc some years ago. Blade length 46cm. What I like about it most is the use of the top part of a {bovine} horn for the grip. Attached Images

25th February 2009, 05:14 PM	#1
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	...no, I thought I saw something on the crosspiece

26th February 2009, 02:57 PM	#3
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	Wow ...mine looks rather like the top sword

26th February 2009, 05:19 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Great post Martin!!! Love the mace, you have some nice things.

27th February 2009, 02:02 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Outstanding examples and beautifully posted Martin!!! I very much like the way you have carefully grouped these as well as adding comments and observations. The swords and daggers of these regions are typically not well represented in much of the literature that I have seen, especially with the degree of diffusion that often seems confounding in identifying examples. What you have added has really helped, and I very much appreciate being able to add such helpful information to my notes, thank you ! All the very best, Jim

27th February 2009, 05:27 PM	#8
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Thank you Jim Regards, Martin