Somali short sword

[colin henshaw]

Hi

We don't see so many Somali weapons, but I find them quite interesting. Here is one I found recently - the handle is very finely made with alternate layers of horn and zinc ? Great shape.

Anyone else like these ? Comments welcome as always.

[ThePepperSkull]

These are very interesting. Do a search on these forums for "billao" and you'll find more of them

[Kipinga50]

Hello Colin,
Your item is a Somalian Belawa sword (Bilao's family, Bilaawe in somalian language)

[Jim McDougall]

Yes they are indeed interesting.,

[colin henshaw]

Thanks to those who commented on this item. The handle is beautifully constructed, and here is a close-up. Thin layers of horn and zinc/zinc alloy ? Must have been difficult to do.

Also posting a couple of old images of posed photos of Somali warriors from the late 19th century, for interest. The explorer Richard Burton describes Somaliland tribal weapons in his book from the 1850s "First Footsteps in East Africa", for anyone who likes Somali material.

Some peculiarities I have often noticed with Somali iron blades - they can develop distinctive patchy rust pitting and light remains of file marks are commonly left on the metal. Anyone have observations on these points ?

Regards.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams Colin Henshaw~ Monumental hilts like these are indeed interesting and I wonder if they mirror some architectural theme? Great photos which help to bring these weapons back to life....
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams Colin Henshaw~ Monumental hilts like these are indeed interesting and I wonder if they mirror some architectural theme? Great photos which help to bring these weapons back to life....
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Hi Ibrahiim

Apologies for the late response. Good point about the architectural theme, perhaps this is the design inspiration. Searching on the internet - it seems that Somalia and Somaliland in historic times were renowned for their distinctive architecture.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Hi Ibrahiim

Apologies for the late response. Good point about the architectural theme, perhaps this is the design inspiration. Searching on the internet - it seems that Somalia and Somaliland in historic times were renowned for their distinctive architecture.

Salaams Colin Henshaw ~There are many examples on the web such as at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:So...ndow-frame.jpg showing a monumentally carved window and I'm sure there are more ...
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Hi Ibrahiim

Apologies for the late response. Good point about the architectural theme, perhaps this is the design inspiration. Searching on the internet - it seems that Somalia and Somaliland in historic times were renowned for their distinctive architecture.

Salaams Colin Henshaw ~There are many examples on the web such as at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:So...ndow-frame.jpg showing a monumentally carved window and I'm sure there are more ... I also noted a particularly interesting web letter on the subject of Somalia etymology http://www.mbali.info/doc450.htm which is worth a read.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Kirk]

A truly beautiful piece. What are its dimensions?

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams Colin Henshaw ~There are many examples on the web such as at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:So...ndow-frame.jpg showing a monumentally carved window and I'm sure there are more ... I also noted a particularly interesting web letter on the subject of Somalia etymology http://www.mbali.info/doc450.htm which is worth a read.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Hi Ibrahiim

Many thanks for the interesting links.

Do you have any thoughts on the distinctive patchy rusting to be found on Somali/Somaliland iron weapons ?

Regards.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Hi

We don't see so many Somali weapons, but I find them quite interesting. Here is one I found recently - the handle is very finely made with alternate layers of horn and zinc ? Great shape.

Anyone else like these ? Comments welcome as always.

Salaams Colin~ I find it interesting that the pommel is this peculiar crown shape rather like the top of the hilt shown at Buttins famous work at #26 (sketch 1009) on http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=nimcha and similar crowns on # 11 and #16.
Salaams,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[colin henshaw]

Hi Ibrahiim

Thanks for the link - yes, interesting similarity - I wonder if this is a regional style at work, with an architectural connection ? Is such a form of pommel to be found on any Omani weapon ?

Regarding the patchy rusting to be found on Somali weapons, could it be due in some measure to the iron ore to be found locally ? (assuming imported iron was not used). I've also seen that regularly spaced, deep patchy pitting on some kaskara blades...

Regards
Colin

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams Colin~ I find it interesting that the pommel is this peculiar crown shape rather like the top of the hilt shown at Buttins famous work at #26 (sketch 1009) on http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=nimcha and similar crowns on # 11 and #16.
Salaams,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Hi Ibrahiim

Thanks for the link - yes, interesting similarity - I wonder if this is a regional style at work, with an architectural connection ? Is such a form of pommel to be found on any Omani weapon ?

Regarding the patchy rusting to be found on Somali weapons, could it be due in some measure to the iron ore to be found locally ? (assuming imported iron was not used). I've also seen that regularly spaced, deep patchy pitting on some kaskara blades...

Regards
Colin

Salaams Colin~ No I have never seen a pommel like it on any Omani sword or Khanjar ... except on the Nimcha variant at Buttin. I would like to cross reference your thread with the discussion on Nimcha...I hope thats ok.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.