Taureg for Comment
 

My first Taureg -- 34.25 inches overall length in scabbard.

Taking some pictures for insurance purposes.

Very nice Takouba sir! I don't know much about the Tuareg swords, but I like them.

Steve

It almost seems that a takouba and a kaskara ought to be in pairs, eh?
My kaskara was literally my first ever ethnographic sword, brought back from Eretrea for me by my son about 11 years ago while in the special forces.
Both swords are somewhat unique in that they are both still worn today in N. Africa and nearby, even though they've been well documented for several hundred years.
There's a beautiful write up on both styles here in the source section of the foum that gives you a LOT of information.
Very nice addition, hopefully the forst of many.
Mike

This is a coincidence! My first sword was a kaskara too. I bought it in Egypt-Sudan borders about 10 years ago.

This appears to be a nice typical takouba, and it is indeed true that you will see swords just like this still being worn everyday in the Sahara, at least I did as recently as 2001. This example appears to have a little age to it. The blade appears to be of local (African) manufacture.