Hi Martin,
I think I have seen most of these swords before but thanks for the new pictures and interesting stories about them.
I have a few comments and ideas...
First about the large supposedly Fulani sword from Kano. I think the story you were told might not be a fairy tale. The Fulani inside Hausa states did not enjoy the same privileges as the Hausa and often engaged as pastoral herders and livestock owners. The usually lived in separate sections of towns and often had their own villages. In Gobir, they were forbidden to carry arms, the city where Usuman dan Fodiyo grew up.
Perhaps one theory could be that this style of sword was derived from the arm daggers and was simple and easy to make for the Fulani. The takouba of the Hausa would perhaps not be something they normally used if their access to weaponry was legally restricted? Of course it would then be logical that they would adopt the takouba as they conquered Hausa states.
The two swords from Maroua are of course fantastic weapons and I think I have mentioned before that the shorter one is maybe from the Mudang people. I remember from older pictures you showed some years ago there was still some material on the hilts of these two swords? Was it just rust? Or leather? A pity it could not be preserved.
As for what would work in battle... I think like most weapons, much of it is about the user, maybe as much as the weapon.
Best,
Iain
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