Takouba in action

Michael Blalock · 14th March 2010, 03:52 PM

The are a bunch of these Taureg dance videos online but I enjoyed this one the most.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4lf5h_takouba-1_music

And that is live guitar as you can see in this other video from the same venue.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4l...hoggar-1_music

Emanuel · 14th March 2010, 06:17 PM

Thanks for posting these Michael.

The takouba they use seem to be on the short side. One of them also seems to be quite stiff, perhaps an older blade? A while back I saw a documentary on the Fulani; it showed young men sharpening their takoubas for a conflict. The blades were very flexible. The one tabouka I had also had a very thin spring-steel blade.

The twirls at the end look surprisingly similar to break-dancing moves.

katana · 15th March 2010, 04:58 PM

Hi Micheal,
interesting......notice at around 30 seconds + (the first video)the 'thrust' seems to be achieved by holding the 'flat' of the 'non sword' hand further up the blade ....almost certainly to stablise/stiffen the blade. If this is the case I can only assume that the usually very flexible blade is mainly designed for the 'slashing cut'.

All the best
David

Iain · 19th March 2010, 10:42 AM

This old photo may be of interest (not mine):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/flanifo...7605415600743/

Notice the man on the left 'fingering' the blade - explains why the blades are left unsharpened for the first 1/3rd or so, and gives some insight into the style of swordsmanship used. Maybe it's well known to others here, but I just stumbled across it today.

Best,

Iain

14th March 2010, 03:52 PM	#1
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Takouba in action The are a bunch of these Taureg dance videos online but I enjoyed this one the most. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4lf5h_takouba-1_music And that is live guitar as you can see in this other video from the same venue. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4l...hoggar-1_music Last edited by Michael Blalock; 14th March 2010 at 04:30 PM.

15th March 2010, 04:58 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Micheal, interesting......notice at around 30 seconds + (the first video)the 'thrust' seems to be achieved by holding the 'flat' of the 'non sword' hand further up the blade ....almost certainly to stablise/stiffen the blade. If this is the case I can only assume that the usually very flexible blade is mainly designed for the 'slashing cut'. All the best David Last edited by katana; 15th March 2010 at 05:09 PM.

14th March 2010, 06:17 PM	#2
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Thanks for posting these Michael. The takouba they use seem to be on the short side. One of them also seems to be quite stiff, perhaps an older blade? A while back I saw a documentary on the Fulani; it showed young men sharpening their takoubas for a conflict. The blades were very flexible. The one tabouka I had also had a very thin spring-steel blade. The twirls at the end look surprisingly similar to break-dancing moves.

19th March 2010, 10:42 AM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	This old photo may be of interest (not mine): http://www.flickr.com/photos/flanifo...7605415600743/ Notice the man on the left 'fingering' the blade - explains why the blades are left unsharpened for the first 1/3rd or so, and gives some insight into the style of swordsmanship used. Maybe it's well known to others here, but I just stumbled across it today. Best, Iain