Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Tabouka ? blade markings

Emanuel · 14th April 2008, 09:59 PM

Hello Dugsey,

In his "report from Timbuktu" (I think that's the thread) Dr.Lee mentionned piles of newly made and somewhat old takoubas. Forum member Dom also said he saw them newly-made and sold to tourists. You certainly have a native blade but likely not one that was meant for a fight. That said, I saw a documentary recently on the Hausa (or more likely the Fulani) and they were shown sharpening their takoubas. The blades were very thin and extremely flexible, and they looked like the modern ones. I think these are still being produced both for tourists and local use as personal apparel for tribal dances/ceremonies/maybe even fights. I don't think yours is older than WWII, can't prove it though.

As for value...I don't know what real value would be. on eBay bids will fluctuate wildly. Dealers will ask for a lot. Since yours has the tassels intact it may fetch a nice price even if it's all leather, who knows. There have been many of eBay that sold for peanuts, mostly the cheap new ones. I have never seen any piece on eBay or anywhere else, comparable in quality to those shown by Dr.Lee in his article.
I guess you can always list yours as a Sudanese kaskara on eBay and have the price go up

. Could you post pics?

Regards,
Emanuel

14th April 2008, 09:59 PM	#6
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	No monetary appraisals Hello Dugsey, In his "report from Timbuktu" (I think that's the thread) Dr.Lee mentionned piles of newly made and somewhat old takoubas. Forum member Dom also said he saw them newly-made and sold to tourists. You certainly have a native blade but likely not one that was meant for a fight. That said, I saw a documentary recently on the Hausa (or more likely the Fulani) and they were shown sharpening their takoubas. The blades were very thin and extremely flexible, and they looked like the modern ones. I think these are still being produced both for tourists and local use as personal apparel for tribal dances/ceremonies/maybe even fights. I don't think yours is older than WWII, can't prove it though. As for value...I don't know what real value would be. on eBay bids will fluctuate wildly. Dealers will ask for a lot. Since yours has the tassels intact it may fetch a nice price even if it's all leather, who knows. There have been many of eBay that sold for peanuts, mostly the cheap new ones. I have never seen any piece on eBay or anywhere else, comparable in quality to those shown by Dr.Lee in his article. I guess you can always list yours as a Sudanese kaskara on eBay and have the price go up . Could you post pics? Regards, Emanuel Last edited by Manolo; 15th April 2008 at 03:21 PM.