African curved sword for discussion/comment ?

Taffjones · 3rd January 2013, 02:09 PM

Hi Guys,
Had this sword in my collection for a few years. Believe it to be African. It measures 90cm from the top of the hilt to the end of the blade(Across the curve not going with it). Has very nice age patina and feels very well balanced in the hand. Don't think it is a decorative piece. Comments welcome

Thanks in advance
Darren

Iain · 3rd January 2013, 03:02 PM

Hi Darren,

Others can doubtless add more, but for a start I can at least ID what you've got. A rather nice Ethiopian shotel.

Martin Lubojacky · 3rd January 2013, 04:20 PM

There is nothing more to add. Classical, nice shotel.
Martin

Iain · 3rd January 2013, 05:02 PM

I would add I have always found these swords particularly interesting of the weaponry from Ethiopia as they feature native made blades and are a very old design.

I find this a nice contrast to the gurade and saif which usually feature imported blades.

Taffjones · 3rd January 2013, 09:57 PM

Thanks for the help so far, It would be interesting to know whether there was any migration of this type of weapon to any of the Arabian countries across the red sea. As quite a lot of the images showing up on this site and others seem to have Arab type filigree work and other types of embelishments.

Thanks
Darren

Jim McDougall · 4th January 2013, 12:24 AM

Hi Darren,
Which type of embellishments and filigree work are you referring to? I know there is a great deal of silvered openwork on Abyssinian shields, but have not seen same on these shotels.
The shotel you have shown seems to be one from latter 19th century most likely, and these deeply parabolic sickle type swords were traditionally favored by many of the Abyssinian tribes. Apparantly they continued to be used though the Italian occupation (ending with Battle of Adwa 1898) and as late as 1936-41 with the Italian-Abyssian war.

During the early 20th century these type blades were often produced by both Germany and Wilkinson of England in this traditional form, many of these supplied to forces of Haile Selassie I. More familiar in these times were the gurade, a stirrup hilted military type sabre, and shotels with military type sabre blades but the same rhino horn hilt. As far as I have known there was no diffusion of these Abyssinian swords into other regions, though reasonable similarities are seen in hilts of certain other African edged weapons and sickle type blades on Ngombe sabres (much heavier and shallower).
It does appear numbers of shotels were entered into Red Sea trade and into Arabia, as I understand primarily to obtain the rhino horn hilts, extremely desired in Arabia for thier janbiyya/ khanjhar daggers. Some of the more straight and shallow curved blades of these swords appear to have been rehilted in San'aa in the Yemen in some degree, but none were of the parabolic blade shotel form.

There is a great deal of debate on the use of these sickle blades, which were looked upon disdainfully by Sir Richard Burton as being entirely useless, but many sources insist these were used gainfully in combat by reaching cuts around the opponents shield. These double edged 'sickles' are believed to have the focus of thier cut to the point, with the impetus of thier slashing cut in the momentum of the dramatically curved blade.

Most attractive swords, and seem to be getting somewhat harder to find. Thier long use by Ethiopian warriors, even contemporary to the other forms described, suggest they were indeed deadly in the hands of these warriors.

All best regards,
Jim

napoleon · 8th March 2013, 08:29 PM

this is called a shotel,and was used by sudanese warriors,against the british.nice thing !

Iain · 8th March 2013, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by napoleon

this is called a shotel,and was used by sudanese warriors,against the british.nice thing !

Ethiopians actually... Not Sudanese. Although as mentioned above the British did see action against the Ethiopian kingdom in 1868.

Wodimi · 8th March 2013, 09:30 PM

without any doubts an Ethiopian shotel. They have different formsm depending of region and tribes. Below a small collection.
Best Wolf
www.africanarms.com

Iain · 8th March 2013, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wodimi

without any doubts an Ethiopian shotel. They have different formsm depending of region and tribes. Below a small collection.
Best Wolf
www.africanarms.com

Absolutely fantastic collection Wolf!

Thanks for sharing. Could you tell us what the tribes are and attributions in the examples you showed? I know very little about Ethiopian arms beyond being able to identify the main types.

(Just a note for others - if you haven't visited Wolf's website you really should. It showcases an amazing and diverse collection with very well done photos.)

DaveA · 9th March 2013, 12:16 AM

I never new the shotel had such diverse form. Thanks for posting! I would also welcome any further description you can provide (or I suppose I can just visit your website)

- Dave A

napoleon · 10th March 2013, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain

Ethiopians actually... Not Sudanese. Although as mentioned above the British did see action against the Ethiopian kingdom in 1868.

Iain · 10th March 2013, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by napoleon

Happy to share detail and info when I can.

I think the Ethiopian position and interaction with the Madhist Sudanese and the British is quite fascinating.

derek · 11th March 2013, 12:17 AM

I let go of several, but this one has managed to hang around.

DaveA · 9th March 2013, 12:10 AM

Here is my shotel. It is 31.25 inches in length, blade is 27 inches and sharp on both sides. The red leather sheath is in pretty good condition although a very tight fit for the shotel and I don't keep it in the sheath for fear of cutting it.

The shotel was the traditional sword of Abyssinia (current Ethiopia). The last picture is a painting that depicts Dejazmach Hailu, governor of Hamasien in the Asmara region, armed with a shotel. Dejazmach  Hailu held office during the reign of Emperor Tewodros II (1855-68)

It is really hard to imagine sword fighting with this weapon. The most evocative description I've heard is this one from the essay "There is no best sword" by Hank Reinhardt

"The natives fight with these swords from behind large, circular leather shields. Rather than try to cut through the shield, or feint it out of the way, they reach around it to hook their opponent with the point of the sword. I think you can image what a strange type of combat it must be. Many years ago, when the movie theaters had shorts subjects, I saw a travelogue that briefly showed two Abyssinians "fencing" with sword and shield. They hopped and ducked and bounced all around, with the long curved swords moving in very awkward ways. Really strange."

3rd January 2013, 02:09 PM	#1
Taffjones Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Abertridwr Posts: 50	African curved sword for discussion/comment ? Hi Guys, Had this sword in my collection for a few years. Believe it to be African. It measures 90cm from the top of the hilt to the end of the blade(Across the curve not going with it). Has very nice age patina and feels very well balanced in the hand. Don't think it is a decorative piece. Comments welcome Thanks in advance Darren Attached Images

8th March 2013, 08:29 PM	#7
napoleon Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 88	shotel this is called a shotel,and was used by sudanese warriors,against the british.nice thing !

8th March 2013, 09:30 PM	#9
Wodimi Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 75	Shotel without any doubts an Ethiopian shotel. They have different formsm depending of region and tribes. Below a small collection. Best Wolf www.africanarms.com Attached Images

9th March 2013, 12:16 AM	#11
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Really great collection I never new the shotel had such diverse form. Thanks for posting! I would also welcome any further description you can provide (or I suppose I can just visit your website) - Dave A

11th March 2013, 12:17 AM	#14
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Shotel, Imported blade and bakelite hilt I let go of several, but this one has managed to hang around. Attached Images

3rd January 2013, 03:02 PM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Hi Darren, Others can doubtless add more, but for a start I can at least ID what you've got. A rather nice Ethiopian shotel.

3rd January 2013, 04:20 PM	#3
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	There is nothing more to add. Classical, nice shotel. Martin

3rd January 2013, 05:02 PM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	I would add I have always found these swords particularly interesting of the weaponry from Ethiopia as they feature native made blades and are a very old design. I find this a nice contrast to the gurade and saif which usually feature imported blades.

3rd January 2013, 09:57 PM	#5
Taffjones Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Abertridwr Posts: 50	Thanks for the help so far, It would be interesting to know whether there was any migration of this type of weapon to any of the Arabian countries across the red sea. As quite a lot of the images showing up on this site and others seem to have Arab type filigree work and other types of embelishments. Thanks Darren

4th January 2013, 12:24 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,957	Hi Darren, Which type of embellishments and filigree work are you referring to? I know there is a great deal of silvered openwork on Abyssinian shields, but have not seen same on these shotels. The shotel you have shown seems to be one from latter 19th century most likely, and these deeply parabolic sickle type swords were traditionally favored by many of the Abyssinian tribes. Apparantly they continued to be used though the Italian occupation (ending with Battle of Adwa 1898) and as late as 1936-41 with the Italian-Abyssian war. During the early 20th century these type blades were often produced by both Germany and Wilkinson of England in this traditional form, many of these supplied to forces of Haile Selassie I. More familiar in these times were the gurade, a stirrup hilted military type sabre, and shotels with military type sabre blades but the same rhino horn hilt. As far as I have known there was no diffusion of these Abyssinian swords into other regions, though reasonable similarities are seen in hilts of certain other African edged weapons and sickle type blades on Ngombe sabres (much heavier and shallower). It does appear numbers of shotels were entered into Red Sea trade and into Arabia, as I understand primarily to obtain the rhino horn hilts, extremely desired in Arabia for thier janbiyya/ khanjhar daggers. Some of the more straight and shallow curved blades of these swords appear to have been rehilted in San'aa in the Yemen in some degree, but none were of the parabolic blade shotel form. There is a great deal of debate on the use of these sickle blades, which were looked upon disdainfully by Sir Richard Burton as being entirely useless, but many sources insist these were used gainfully in combat by reaching cuts around the opponents shield. These double edged 'sickles' are believed to have the focus of thier cut to the point, with the impetus of thier slashing cut in the momentum of the dramatically curved blade. Most attractive swords, and seem to be getting somewhat harder to find. Thier long use by Ethiopian warriors, even contemporary to the other forms described, suggest they were indeed deadly in the hands of these warriors. All best regards, Jim

9th March 2013, 12:10 AM	#15
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	For comparison Here is my shotel. It is 31.25 inches in length, blade is 27 inches and sharp on both sides. The red leather sheath is in pretty good condition although a very tight fit for the shotel and I don't keep it in the sheath for fear of cutting it. The shotel was the traditional sword of Abyssinia (current Ethiopia). The last picture is a painting that depicts Dejazmach Hailu, governor of Hamasien in the Asmara region, armed with a shotel. Dejazmach  Hailu held office during the reign of Emperor Tewodros II (1855-68) It is really hard to imagine sword fighting with this weapon. The most evocative description I've heard is this one from the essay "There is no best sword" by Hank Reinhardt "The natives fight with these swords from behind large, circular leather shields. Rather than try to cut through the shield, or feint it out of the way, they reach around it to hook their opponent with the point of the sword. I think you can image what a strange type of combat it must be. Many years ago, when the movie theaters had shorts subjects, I saw a travelogue that briefly showed two Abyssinians "fencing" with sword and shield. They hopped and ducked and bounced all around, with the long curved swords moving in very awkward ways. Really strange." Attached Images