Interesting Kaskara

Emanuel · 16th December 2005, 02:11 AM

This one just ended http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1
and I find it very interesting. It is advertised as a Sudanese kaskara, but it doesn't look like any of the examples I've seen on this forum and other sites. Croc skin scabbard and croc paw hilt - along with the intricately stamped blade, could this suggest a ceremonial piece? Blade also looks too thin to be useful in combat and there is no kaskara guard. Anyone have information on this kind of sword?

Manolo

TVV · 16th December 2005, 10:04 AM

I am not an expert but I personally did not like this one: it seems to be much more on the decorative than on the functional side. Maybe you are right and it is ceremonial, or maybe it was made in a way to appeal to Western travelers. I too would love to hear what the others think.

ariel · 16th December 2005, 12:36 PM

I am not usually very squeamish, but this piece was frankly revolting. The only more nauseating pattern is the kaskara with the scabbard made out of a whole baby alligator.
Somehow, these dessicated toes make me gag.....

Emanuel · 16th December 2005, 04:30 PM

The paw is indeed disgusting, sad to think it was used to attract a western collector in search of tribal curiosities.
If it did/does have ceremonial uses, would the...inclusion of animal parts be akin to monkey skulls on some filipino headhunter swords, acting as a defensive or offensive spirit?

VANDOO · 17th December 2005, 04:57 PM

I FIND THESE TYPES OF ITEMS INTERESTING AS THEY MOSTLY CAME ABOUT DURING THE SAME TIME FRAME PERHAPS 100 YEARS AGO TO PRESENT?. I SUSPECT THEY WERE MADE TO IMPRESS THE FORIGN TRAVELER BY SHOWING THE BARBARIC SPLENDOR OF THEIR COSTUMES AND WEAPONS. THIS ALSO MADE IT EASIER TO SELL TO THE TRAVELER BECAUSE WHO COULD RESIST HAVING SUCH A BARBARIC AND UNUSUAL ITEM TO DISPLAY FOR A CONVERSATION PIECE.
THE FORERUNNERS OF THIS TYPE THING WERE PROBABLY WILD LOOKING ITEMS WITH GREAT MAGICAL POWERS USED BY THE LOCAL WITCH DOCTOR TO AWE THE LOCALS AND GAIN RESPECT AND FEAR. A WARRIOR WHO HAD KILLED A DANGEROUS CROCODILE OR LION, ECT OFTEN INCORPORATED A TROPHY PART OF IT INTO HIS COSTUME WHICH REMINDED EVERYONE OF HIS POWER AND PRESTIGE.
SO PERHAPS WE COULD LOOSLY CLASSIFY THESE TYPES OF THINGS UNDER BARBARIC SPLENDOR!! REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY COME FROM.

Emanuel · 18th December 2005, 02:56 AM

Ah I see, thanks Vandoo. I'll make a point to steer clear of this unbelieavably barbaric - though catchy - type. There's some weird stuff coming out of Africa...

16th December 2005, 02:11 AM	#1
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Interesting Kaskara This one just ended http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1 and I find it very interesting. It is advertised as a Sudanese kaskara, but it doesn't look like any of the examples I've seen on this forum and other sites. Croc skin scabbard and croc paw hilt - along with the intricately stamped blade, could this suggest a ceremonial piece? Blade also looks too thin to be useful in combat and there is no kaskara guard. Anyone have information on this kind of sword? Manolo

16th December 2005, 10:04 AM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,660	I am not an expert but I personally did not like this one: it seems to be much more on the decorative than on the functional side. Maybe you are right and it is ceremonial, or maybe it was made in a way to appeal to Western travelers. I too would love to hear what the others think.

16th December 2005, 12:36 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I am not usually very squeamish, but this piece was frankly revolting. The only more nauseating pattern is the kaskara with the scabbard made out of a whole baby alligator. Somehow, these dessicated toes make me gag.....

16th December 2005, 04:30 PM	#4
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	The paw is indeed disgusting, sad to think it was used to attract a western collector in search of tribal curiosities. If it did/does have ceremonial uses, would the...inclusion of animal parts be akin to monkey skulls on some filipino headhunter swords, acting as a defensive or offensive spirit?

17th December 2005, 04:57 PM	#5
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I FIND THESE TYPES OF ITEMS INTERESTING AS THEY MOSTLY CAME ABOUT DURING THE SAME TIME FRAME PERHAPS 100 YEARS AGO TO PRESENT?. I SUSPECT THEY WERE MADE TO IMPRESS THE FORIGN TRAVELER BY SHOWING THE BARBARIC SPLENDOR OF THEIR COSTUMES AND WEAPONS. THIS ALSO MADE IT EASIER TO SELL TO THE TRAVELER BECAUSE WHO COULD RESIST HAVING SUCH A BARBARIC AND UNUSUAL ITEM TO DISPLAY FOR A CONVERSATION PIECE. THE FORERUNNERS OF THIS TYPE THING WERE PROBABLY WILD LOOKING ITEMS WITH GREAT MAGICAL POWERS USED BY THE LOCAL WITCH DOCTOR TO AWE THE LOCALS AND GAIN RESPECT AND FEAR. A WARRIOR WHO HAD KILLED A DANGEROUS CROCODILE OR LION, ECT OFTEN INCORPORATED A TROPHY PART OF IT INTO HIS COSTUME WHICH REMINDED EVERYONE OF HIS POWER AND PRESTIGE. SO PERHAPS WE COULD LOOSLY CLASSIFY THESE TYPES OF THINGS UNDER BARBARIC SPLENDOR!! REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY COME FROM.

18th December 2005, 02:56 AM	#6
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Ah I see, thanks Vandoo. I'll make a point to steer clear of this unbelieavably barbaric - though catchy - type. There's some weird stuff coming out of Africa...