Sudan or Egypt?
 

Hi Guys,

Please, could you help me?
Is it a Beja dagger?
If I follow some old posts this kind kind of hilt is not older than 1916...
Is it true?
Then the drawing and Arabic on the blade look like some Jambiya in Yemen.
These Jambiya are from 1915-1930ties...
Any comments or ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks

Kubur

Hello Kubur,

not my area of collecting but I think it's a Beja dagger, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=beja

Regards,
Detlef

Hi Kubur Antique dagger used by Hedendoa tribe of Sudan
Regards Rajesh

Kubur,

The "X" shape handle seems to have gone through a stylistic evolution and has perhaps become a more cultural shape (Hadendawa branch of the Beja and Kassala Region) although it is still serviceable with a two finger grip. See this link and my post #3 regards the pre-1916 date.
http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?p=158587

Regards,
Ed

Thanks Ed
I have seen this very good thread.
So if I follow you, this kind of dagger could be from the end of 19th c.?
It'll be nice! I would like to have the opinion of some members specialist of Yemeni jambiya. I can see some cultural links with Yemen...
The problem with African weapons is that they get a patina very quickly and even for an old fox like me, it's difficult to see if they are old or not... :)

Kubur,

I agree on the difficulty of dating. The design of your grip with the sharper points was being made new as late as 1986, but the scabbard is of better quality than of that era. More rounder tips and more pronounced back-to-back "C"s would have been earlier, say during the British Condominium. Also, more narrow grips relate to the diminished availability of big Black Wood trees. Older growth had thicker black parts with brown sap wood on the outside. Wide all black grips would be from bigger trees and older. The inscription on the blade may offer a clue.

Regards,
Ed

Eritrea also used the beja dagger as well..........

The engraved image (bird ?) to the blade is unusual. Would be interesting to know what the Arabic script says. Anything on the other side ?

Hi,
Nothing on the other side.
Some Yemeni Jambiya have an human figure, other even a cow!
A lot of Jordanian Shibriya have birds on their blade.
Also I would like to know what the text says!!
Best,
Kubur