Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Apparently sabers are alive and well in Ivory Coast

Iain · 6th April 2011, 09:57 PM

Tim,

Great eyes! I'd completely overlooked the axe. Looks like a pretty heavy duty example at that. The little boxes are also intriguing. From the little I know of the area, traditional beliefs in magic and spiritual powers are still widespread, so talismans make sense.

Vandoo,

I think status might be part of it, I can't imagine it's easy or practical lugging a full sized sword and that monster axe around in an urban environment. Especially a war zone. I agree the fly whisk is essential. ;-) Maybe the most useful thing he's got on him!

Rick,

Thanks for the reassurance, I had faith that our good members wouldn't bring anything into it, but knowing how many international folks we have here, who may even have a personal connection with the conflict... I thought it safer to stay strictly with the weapons. :-)

Gav,

I was also thinking about this in terms of backup. I'd read a lot of the militias involved are armed with even just machetes. Also I wonder about the issues of resupply in these kind of situations for ammunition, so maybe there is a real fall back approach to carrying this, or even, conservation of ammunition.

Gene,

I think this could be classed as a fairly definitive subtype. The Manding seem to have always been pretty open to outside influence in their swords. Reusing European sabre blades, takouba blades and apparently sabre hilt designs as well. I've seen more than a few of these aluminium cast hilts. I'd always assumed it was more or less a status symbol, cultural thing at this point but I guess you still go to war with them as well.

Kukul,

Indeed, seems like edged weapons retain their place in many conflicts. On the other hand, even in Europe, even 60 odd years ago in WWII there was still a lot of horse transport and the odd cavalry unit complete with sabers. I guess our own fast moving times make us forget how little time has actually passed since swords were tools of the trade.

I'm also wondering what the man on the right is holding, there's something with a red handle and what almost looks like a pommel in his lap. Any ideas or guesses?

6th April 2011, 09:57 PM	#9
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	Tim, Great eyes! I'd completely overlooked the axe. Looks like a pretty heavy duty example at that. The little boxes are also intriguing. From the little I know of the area, traditional beliefs in magic and spiritual powers are still widespread, so talismans make sense. Vandoo, I think status might be part of it, I can't imagine it's easy or practical lugging a full sized sword and that monster axe around in an urban environment. Especially a war zone. I agree the fly whisk is essential. ;-) Maybe the most useful thing he's got on him! Rick, Thanks for the reassurance, I had faith that our good members wouldn't bring anything into it, but knowing how many international folks we have here, who may even have a personal connection with the conflict... I thought it safer to stay strictly with the weapons. :-) Gav, I was also thinking about this in terms of backup. I'd read a lot of the militias involved are armed with even just machetes. Also I wonder about the issues of resupply in these kind of situations for ammunition, so maybe there is a real fall back approach to carrying this, or even, conservation of ammunition. Gene, I think this could be classed as a fairly definitive subtype. The Manding seem to have always been pretty open to outside influence in their swords. Reusing European sabre blades, takouba blades and apparently sabre hilt designs as well. I've seen more than a few of these aluminium cast hilts. I'd always assumed it was more or less a status symbol, cultural thing at this point but I guess you still go to war with them as well. Kukul, Indeed, seems like edged weapons retain their place in many conflicts. On the other hand, even in Europe, even 60 odd years ago in WWII there was still a lot of horse transport and the odd cavalry unit complete with sabers. I guess our own fast moving times make us forget how little time has actually passed since swords were tools of the trade. I'm also wondering what the man on the right is holding, there's something with a red handle and what almost looks like a pommel in his lap. Any ideas or guesses?