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Originally Posted by Jim McDougall
Actually the geographical provenance is understandably complicated as the trade routes account for the vast diffusion here. The Omani Sultanate at Zanzibar was not only a maritime trade center, but a powerful entrepot where trade entered various routes into the interior among others. When the compelling similarity between Omani kattara and Manding sabres is considered, it seems quite understandable that these forms reflect the plausible connections between these distant locations.
The kaskara style blade likely traversed into regions to the west along with other commerce , and with Manding being the merchant tribes in virtual control of routes into thier regions ended up in these mounts, at least that is what appears the scenario.
The only thing way off is the distance, not the observation  |
Salaams Jim..It is interesting to observe the possible transition of the curved bladed Omani Kattara long hilt... which appears to have rebounded possibly via the slave trade through Zanzibar and was taken up as the chosen hilt onto the straight Omani Sayf around the current Dynasty coming to power in about 1744. Here we can see possible parallels with the Manding etc... though I am uncertain which way the hilt moved between Manding and Omani Kattara and since a lot of influence tended to move in the direction of the religion in favour at the time perhaps that can be looked at.
I would certainly look at the Slave Traders as instrumental in blending the curved Omani Kattara with a long African Hilt and being instrumental in advising the hilt as a good fit for the Omani Straight Sayf.. The Pageant and dancing sword.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.