Seeking translation assistance on African Kaskara blade

RSWORD · 3rd June 2020, 11:12 PM

Was hoping someone might be able to translate the inscription that is found on both sides of the blade of this Kaskara. Many thanks in advance for the assistance. I have a couple of pictures of each side in case one is better/easier to view.

ariel · 4th June 2020, 02:19 AM

That’s a freaking beauty!

David R · 4th June 2020, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

That’s a freaking beauty!

Agreed, the engraving/etching is way way better than usual on these.

RSWORD · 5th June 2020, 03:04 PM

Thank you and I agree on both points. I am hopeful someone will be able to offer some translation assistance because this inscription is much better than typically found.

kwiatek · 5th June 2020, 10:54 PM

It’s inscribed with verses from al-Busiri‘s Qasidat al-Burda (Ode of the Mantle), a poem in praise of the Prophet, popular all over the Islamic world.

There‘s the name of the maker too, though your photos don‘t show the whole of that part of the inscription. It ends with “... Ibrahim Ahmad” followed by what looks like the date 1202/1787-8, though this isn’t very clearly written and that would be a very early for a piece of this type I gather

kwiatek · 5th June 2020, 11:37 PM

This is not a very idiomatic translation, but the verses from al-Burda roughly say:

“God’s protection has no need of reinforced armour or high fortresses.

Whenever time tried to harm me and I sought refuge in Him, I received shelter from Him that could not be harmed.”

RSWORD · 6th June 2020, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwiatek

It’s inscribed with verses from al-Busiri‘s Qasidat al-Burda (Ode of the Mantle), a poem in praise of the Prophet, popular all over the Islamic world.

There‘s the name of the maker too, though your photos don‘t show the whole of that part of the inscription. It ends with “... Ibrahim Ahmad” followed by what looks like the date 1202/1787-8, though this isn’t very clearly written and that would be a very early for a piece of this type I gather

Thank you very much for the translation. The blade may very well, in addition to the inscription, be 18th century. While rare, it is not out of the realm of possibility. The poem is really nice. I have added pictures of the missing area in the holes the name is more visible but wasn’t sure which end of the inscription so have pictures of all 4. Thanks very much for the translation and having an additional look at these, hopefully, better pictures of the missing portion.

Kubur · 6th June 2020, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwiatek

the date 1202/1787-8, though this isn’t very clearly written and that would be a very early for a piece of this type I gather

I wish to have it in my collection too

I agree with Kwiatek the date is too early for a sword of this type.

It's not the date of the sword but rather a commemorative date, please look at this forum you will see other examples with commemorative dates...

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...emorative+date

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...emorative+date

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...emorative+date

3rd June 2020, 11:12 PM	#1
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,084	Seeking translation assistance on African Kaskara blade Was hoping someone might be able to translate the inscription that is found on both sides of the blade of this Kaskara. Many thanks in advance for the assistance. I have a couple of pictures of each side in case one is better/easier to view. Attached Images

5th June 2020, 10:54 PM	#5
kwiatek Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 153	It’s inscribed with verses from al-Busiri‘s Qasidat al-Burda (Ode of the Mantle), a poem in praise of the Prophet, popular all over the Islamic world. There‘s the name of the maker too, though your photos don‘t show the whole of that part of the inscription. It ends with “... Ibrahim Ahmad” followed by what looks like the date 1202/1787-8, though this isn’t very clearly written and that would be a very early for a piece of this type I gather Last edited by kwiatek; 5th June 2020 at 11:04 PM.

4th June 2020, 02:19 AM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	That’s a freaking beauty!

5th June 2020, 03:04 PM	#4
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,084	Thank you and I agree on both points. I am hopeful someone will be able to offer some translation assistance because this inscription is much better than typically found.

5th June 2020, 11:37 PM	#6
kwiatek Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 153	This is not a very idiomatic translation, but the verses from al-Burda roughly say: “God’s protection has no need of reinforced armour or high fortresses. Whenever time tried to harm me and I sought refuge in Him, I received shelter from Him that could not be harmed.”