strange sudanic (?) sword

stephen wood · 24th February 2009, 10:02 PM

...not a kaskara, not a takouba. The blade is 24", the hilt around 7" - as you can see quite long. And it does look quite old...

I don't get the impression that the blade has been cut down - I've seen rounded tips like that on takouba - and the scabbard has a plaited leather loop like those found on arm daggers...

As always, gentlemen, your ideas and suggestions are most welcome

colin henshaw · 24th February 2009, 10:10 PM

Nice sword and very interesting too ! I've seen those type of iron & brass rings, that don't quite close, on spears from Northern Nigeria (Nupe, Hausa etc), and the blade looks like from that way.

But the plaited leather cord and crocodile hide is more associated with Sudan, however I will still go for Northern Nigeria or that region of the Sahel.

Regards

Tim Simmons · 24th February 2009, 10:14 PM

Nice handle. I was tempted by this one but the scabbard put me off. Some of the leather on the handle reminds me of North Nigeria/Northern Cameroon borders. Clearly a version of kaskara or Tabouka. I put my money on the northern areas of the Nigeria/Cameroon borders as already mentioned. Looks cool.

Jim McDougall · 24th February 2009, 10:28 PM

Hi Stephen,
Always interesting things you post! Without researching and going just by impressions, I would be inclined to think this is another example of influences diffused via trade routes. Clearly there are influences that reflect kaskaras of Sudanese regions, rather than the Saharan takouba, though I agree, the takouba blades typically do have the rounded tip for slashing. The crudely fashioned crossguard is heavily shaped in kaskara style and most important, seems of brass....something unusual that does occur on some kaskaras, with reasons somewhat debated.
In this case, the raised medial ridge and blade overall to me resemble the Maasai seme' blades, south into Kenya.

The hilt style has basic resemblances to Central/West African hilt styles, though the cylindrical pommel is unusual. The braided leather work agreed does seem to parallel a number of regions, the scabbard definitely reflecting Nilotic characteristic, with the crocodile hide section.

My personal opinion on these crocodile hide applications have to do with discussions and research regarding both totemic and social symbolism in Sudanese regions to the south and west, and possible associations to slave commerce following routes into the south.

This may account for the unusual combinations of incongruent components here, as always reflecting fascinating subjects for ethnographic detective work and often, in my case, speculation.

Keep 'em comin' Stephen !!!

All the best,
Jim

Jim McDougall · 24th February 2009, 10:31 PM

Wow! Looks like we all cross posted, Colin and Tim!~!~!
Its great that we all seem pretty much on the same page.
Good note on Cameroon on the braiding, forgot about those.

All the best
Jim

Tim Simmons · 24th February 2009, 10:35 PM

Chad borders all areas concerned. Being under French control, and this piece was sourced in the UK, perhaps it was from British controled areas? I like it.

Although Chad borders Sudan this piece does not seem to me to be South Sudan as in Dinka and others.

katana · 24th February 2009, 11:00 PM

Nice, I particularly like the blade ...with the hammer marks still clearly visible. The cylindrical pommel....looks 'industrial' made ...likely a 'stop end' for a pipe. Assuming it has not been re-hilted, suggests to me late 19th early 20th C ...but could be younger.
I'm wondering whether the plaited strap was originally longer ...to go over the shoulder.

Regards David

stephen wood · 24th February 2009, 11:41 PM

...thank you all

Am I imagining it, or are there markings on the hilt?

Jim McDougall · 24th February 2009, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Chad borders all areas concerned. Being under French control, and this piece was sourced in the UK, perhaps it was from British controled areas? I like it.

Although Chad borders Sudan this piece does not seem to me to be South Sudan as in Dinka and others.

Good points Tim, and I agree, perhaps not southern Sudan per se', but the trade routes ran through Chad into Nigeria to the west, thus influences from the west, Cameroon, Nigeria would be carried along such routes.

Its always amazing how extensive these routes were, and that weapons traversed the continent quite often over centuries.

All the best,
Jim

Martin Lubojacky · 25th February 2009, 09:13 AM

I saw this type of sword in Northern Cameroon (Provincie Extreme North; also with rounded tip and very heavy blade with central "rib", but the blade was absolutely smooth) and I bought one in Maroua town (and one in Mandara M., I will post a photos later). As I already indicated - very similar swords you can also find in northern part of Mandara mountains. All of them (which I saw) were probably older than that one on the picture and some local people were of the opinion this swords are there from the times of Fulani Jihad in 19 (?) century. Nevertheless I saw only the rests of the sheaths and it was never with crocodile skin.

Martin

Bill M · 25th February 2009, 11:04 AM

It is, of course, a kaskouba.

colin henshaw · 25th February 2009, 11:24 AM

A couple of other thoughts spring to mind - I recall reading in a book on the Mahdist period, that Muslim pilgrims from West Africa would pass through Sudan on their way to Mecca. So I guess its not impossible for this sword to have received a new scabbard in the Sudan (Darfur ?).

Also, is it my imagination, but does not the round iron pommel remind you of the pommels to be found on old Omani swords (which often ended up in Eastern Africa) ?

Regards

Lew · 25th February 2009, 12:12 PM

The leather wrap on the hilt is Tebu the center bulb is also a Tebu trait. This could be a very old example that predates the skull crusher style pommel daggers.

Lew

Jim McDougall · 25th February 2009, 03:49 PM

LOL!!! A 'kaskouba' Bill ?!!!!

...absolutely beautiful !!!! I love it!

Martin...thank you for the supporting detail on the Cameroon swords, with which this seems to share distinct influences. This does remind me of the Mandara arm swords we discussed some time ago, those with the 'skull crusher' pommels.
Nicely observed Lew, on the Tebu wrap and those pommels.

Colin, very much agree, the caravans with Pilgrims to Mecca did indeed provide transit for many weapons along with all manner of trade items, in most cases brought by individuals to sell or barter in financing thier journey. The observation on the pommel is outstanding, and exactly what I was trying to place....it is indeed much in the manner of those Omani kattaras, but without the peak. The Omani trade that traversed the African continent from its main base in its Sultanate at Zanzibar definitely accounted for many instances of weapons diffusion along those routes.
This is in my opinion, why the distinct flared scabbard that is so typical of the Sudanese kaskara is solidly a component of the Manding sabre scabbards in Mali......as well as how the Moroccan s'boula daggers became situated in Zanzibar where Burton (after Demmin) declared these 'Zanzibar swords'.

This sword might easily have been sold along these routes, and refurbished in Nilotic regions in Sudan, with influences from Omani kattaras that certainly may have entered these spheres as well.

These kinds of intriguing hybrids are what makes the study of ethnographic weapons the exciting adventure that it is!!! Its not always easy to get my armchair 'howdah' mounted on those camels, but as much as I can...there I am!!! bouncing along in the middle of those caravans!!

All the best,
Jim

Tim Simmons · 25th February 2009, 05:50 PM

Stephen, are these possibly what you think may be marks? Do you have the sword? I really regret not having a go at it.

stephen wood · 25th February 2009, 06:14 PM

...no, I thought I saw something on the crosspiece

24th February 2009, 10:02 PM	#1
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	strange sudanic (?) sword ...not a kaskara, not a takouba. The blade is 24", the hilt around 7" - as you can see quite long. And it does look quite old... I don't get the impression that the blade has been cut down - I've seen rounded tips like that on takouba - and the scabbard has a plaited leather loop like those found on arm daggers... As always, gentlemen, your ideas and suggestions are most welcome Attached Images

25th February 2009, 12:12 PM	#13
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	The leather wrap on the hilt is Tebu the center bulb is also a Tebu trait. This could be a very old example that predates the skull crusher style pommel daggers. Lew Attached Images Last edited by LOUIEBLADES; 25th February 2009 at 12:22 PM.

25th February 2009, 05:50 PM	#15
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Stephen, are these possibly what you think may be marks? Do you have the sword? I really regret not having a go at it. Attached Images

24th February 2009, 10:10 PM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Nice sword and very interesting too ! I've seen those type of iron & brass rings, that don't quite close, on spears from Northern Nigeria (Nupe, Hausa etc), and the blade looks like from that way. But the plaited leather cord and crocodile hide is more associated with Sudan, however I will still go for Northern Nigeria or that region of the Sahel. Regards

24th February 2009, 10:14 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Nice handle. I was tempted by this one but the scabbard put me off. Some of the leather on the handle reminds me of North Nigeria/Northern Cameroon borders. Clearly a version of kaskara or Tabouka. I put my money on the northern areas of the Nigeria/Cameroon borders as already mentioned. Looks cool.

24th February 2009, 10:28 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	Hi Stephen, Always interesting things you post! Without researching and going just by impressions, I would be inclined to think this is another example of influences diffused via trade routes. Clearly there are influences that reflect kaskaras of Sudanese regions, rather than the Saharan takouba, though I agree, the takouba blades typically do have the rounded tip for slashing. The crudely fashioned crossguard is heavily shaped in kaskara style and most important, seems of brass....something unusual that does occur on some kaskaras, with reasons somewhat debated. In this case, the raised medial ridge and blade overall to me resemble the Maasai seme' blades, south into Kenya. The hilt style has basic resemblances to Central/West African hilt styles, though the cylindrical pommel is unusual. The braided leather work agreed does seem to parallel a number of regions, the scabbard definitely reflecting Nilotic characteristic, with the crocodile hide section. My personal opinion on these crocodile hide applications have to do with discussions and research regarding both totemic and social symbolism in Sudanese regions to the south and west, and possible associations to slave commerce following routes into the south. This may account for the unusual combinations of incongruent components here, as always reflecting fascinating subjects for ethnographic detective work and often, in my case, speculation. Keep 'em comin' Stephen !!! All the best, Jim

24th February 2009, 10:31 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	Wow! Looks like we all cross posted, Colin and Tim!~!~! Its great that we all seem pretty much on the same page. Good note on Cameroon on the braiding, forgot about those. All the best Jim

24th February 2009, 10:35 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Chad borders all areas concerned. Being under French control, and this piece was sourced in the UK, perhaps it was from British controled areas? I like it. Although Chad borders Sudan this piece does not seem to me to be South Sudan as in Dinka and others.

24th February 2009, 11:00 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Nice, I particularly like the blade ...with the hammer marks still clearly visible. The cylindrical pommel....looks 'industrial' made ...likely a 'stop end' for a pipe. Assuming it has not been re-hilted, suggests to me late 19th early 20th C ...but could be younger. I'm wondering whether the plaited strap was originally longer ...to go over the shoulder. Regards David

24th February 2009, 11:41 PM	#8
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	...thank you all Am I imagining it, or are there markings on the hilt?

25th February 2009, 09:13 AM	#10
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	I saw this type of sword in Northern Cameroon (Provincie Extreme North; also with rounded tip and very heavy blade with central "rib", but the blade was absolutely smooth) and I bought one in Maroua town (and one in Mandara M., I will post a photos later). As I already indicated - very similar swords you can also find in northern part of Mandara mountains. All of them (which I saw) were probably older than that one on the picture and some local people were of the opinion this swords are there from the times of Fulani Jihad in 19 (?) century. Nevertheless I saw only the rests of the sheaths and it was never with crocodile skin. Martin

25th February 2009, 11:04 AM	#11
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	It is, of course, a kaskouba.

25th February 2009, 11:24 AM	#12
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	A couple of other thoughts spring to mind - I recall reading in a book on the Mahdist period, that Muslim pilgrims from West Africa would pass through Sudan on their way to Mecca. So I guess its not impossible for this sword to have received a new scabbard in the Sudan (Darfur ?). Also, is it my imagination, but does not the round iron pommel remind you of the pommels to be found on old Omani swords (which often ended up in Eastern Africa) ? Regards

25th February 2009, 03:49 PM	#14
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	LOL!!! A 'kaskouba' Bill ?!!!! ...absolutely beautiful !!!! I love it! Martin...thank you for the supporting detail on the Cameroon swords, with which this seems to share distinct influences. This does remind me of the Mandara arm swords we discussed some time ago, those with the 'skull crusher' pommels. Nicely observed Lew, on the Tebu wrap and those pommels. Colin, very much agree, the caravans with Pilgrims to Mecca did indeed provide transit for many weapons along with all manner of trade items, in most cases brought by individuals to sell or barter in financing thier journey. The observation on the pommel is outstanding, and exactly what I was trying to place....it is indeed much in the manner of those Omani kattaras, but without the peak. The Omani trade that traversed the African continent from its main base in its Sultanate at Zanzibar definitely accounted for many instances of weapons diffusion along those routes. This is in my opinion, why the distinct flared scabbard that is so typical of the Sudanese kaskara is solidly a component of the Manding sabre scabbards in Mali......as well as how the Moroccan s'boula daggers became situated in Zanzibar where Burton (after Demmin) declared these 'Zanzibar swords'. This sword might easily have been sold along these routes, and refurbished in Nilotic regions in Sudan, with influences from Omani kattaras that certainly may have entered these spheres as well. These kinds of intriguing hybrids are what makes the study of ethnographic weapons the exciting adventure that it is!!! Its not always easy to get my armchair 'howdah' mounted on those camels, but as much as I can...there I am!!! bouncing along in the middle of those caravans!! All the best, Jim

25th February 2009, 06:14 PM	#16
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	...no, I thought I saw something on the crosspiece