If I remember this right, this topic was also briefly discussed in another thread, although I don't remember which one, and it was in another thread I think. I think it deserves its own thread, so thanks (or Zukran) Jim.
An even earlier influence might be the early Greek kopis, which I don't think ever really went out of fashion until the late 19c (i.e. the yataghan).
My question is how does one wield the Kabyle incarnation of this form? I can see the stabbing, but the chopping? - only to a point (every pun intended
).
This is another pondering that is different from that which I mentioned in the other thread.