Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jim McDougall · 18th November 2007, 08:27 PM

Hi Rod and Emanuel,
Thank you so much for the great responses and posing both excellent observations and further questions! Emanuel, thank you for the link to the thread on the Oromo/Galla shotels, which nicely illustrates more on the fascinating hybridization of the weapons of these regions. With reference to your questions Rod, on the manner of choice and adoption of weapon forms in these regions, I think the intense geopolitical and ethnic flux in these regions, which indeed continues to this day, may be the most likely reason for such selection in weapons.
While the Issa are in degree a subgroup of Somalia, in the regions where they are situated, such as Djibouti, I think that political or traditional inclinations might lean either toward the Afar (Danakil) of Ethiopia or conversely toward the primary Somali clans. This may prompt preference to the favored 'gile' or transitional form of shotel of Ethiopia or otherwise, to the favored 'belawa' of Somalia.
Although this line of thinking may seem simplistic, it does seem plausible, as tribal traditions and identity are passionately intense in these regions. This became quite evident to me some time ago with an Eritrean friend, who was emphatically of the Beja, and constantly spoke of the turmoil there.

It seems the gile was typically a secondary weapon, with the spear as primary, and with the same diffusion typical of these melding peoples, it would seem that adaption would develop a weapon form or its hybrids, to changes in warfare and strategy. With that the shotel, a sword, and the gile, a knife, probably evolved into the nebulous area of short sword/ large knife, like the distinct 'Khyber knife', and appeared in the form seen used by the Oromo/Galla.

The gile, like various dagger and knife forms, is today primarily a traditional element of costume in many cultures, and is worn as an accoutrement used in utility and combat as required, it seems to me. As Emanuel notes, many of these traditional edged weapons may be seen today, alongside the standard AK-47.

I'm not sure which came first, the gile, or the shotel, and it would be interesting to see other examples and hopefully early forms. It seems the first narrated reference to the shotel was mid 19th century, while the gile I dont know. I wonder what the etymology of these terms is?

All best regards,
Jim

18th November 2007, 08:27 PM	#14
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,175	Hi Rod and Emanuel, Thank you so much for the great responses and posing both excellent observations and further questions! Emanuel, thank you for the link to the thread on the Oromo/Galla shotels, which nicely illustrates more on the fascinating hybridization of the weapons of these regions. With reference to your questions Rod, on the manner of choice and adoption of weapon forms in these regions, I think the intense geopolitical and ethnic flux in these regions, which indeed continues to this day, may be the most likely reason for such selection in weapons. While the Issa are in degree a subgroup of Somalia, in the regions where they are situated, such as Djibouti, I think that political or traditional inclinations might lean either toward the Afar (Danakil) of Ethiopia or conversely toward the primary Somali clans. This may prompt preference to the favored 'gile' or transitional form of shotel of Ethiopia or otherwise, to the favored 'belawa' of Somalia. Although this line of thinking may seem simplistic, it does seem plausible, as tribal traditions and identity are passionately intense in these regions. This became quite evident to me some time ago with an Eritrean friend, who was emphatically of the Beja, and constantly spoke of the turmoil there. It seems the gile was typically a secondary weapon, with the spear as primary, and with the same diffusion typical of these melding peoples, it would seem that adaption would develop a weapon form or its hybrids, to changes in warfare and strategy. With that the shotel, a sword, and the gile, a knife, probably evolved into the nebulous area of short sword/ large knife, like the distinct 'Khyber knife', and appeared in the form seen used by the Oromo/Galla. The gile, like various dagger and knife forms, is today primarily a traditional element of costume in many cultures, and is worn as an accoutrement used in utility and combat as required, it seems to me. As Emanuel notes, many of these traditional edged weapons may be seen today, alongside the standard AK-47. I'm not sure which came first, the gile, or the shotel, and it would be interesting to see other examples and hopefully early forms. It seems the first narrated reference to the shotel was mid 19th century, while the gile I dont know. I wonder what the etymology of these terms is? All best regards, Jim