Somalian Billao

Aurangzeb · 11th May 2005, 04:46 AM

Greetings To Everyone !

Here I have posted what has been described as a 19th century Somalian 'Billao'. The measurement of the blade is 7.5 inches long by 2 inches wide at it's widest point. Brass spacers are sandwiched in between the two sections of horn handle. It's handle is made of horn and of course shows several 'nicks and dings' from useage. It sports a sturdy blade with steel butt-cap. The front of the sheath is hardened white leather, while the back is a softer brown leather. There is a 'belt loop' cut into the back of the sheath. Not very visable in the accompanying pictures is an 'X' shape design pressed into the soft leather. As received, the sheath required some minor repair work which was successful. Shown in one of the digital photographs is an 'Italian Mandate' Somalia 1950 1 Centesimo coin.
Your comments, as always, are most welcome.

Enjoy !
Mark..

Ian · 11th May 2005, 01:52 PM

Thanks Mark. Great pictures.

You mention that it is thought to be 19th C., and it seems to have some age and wear. Is there a provenance that came with this one to sugegst it may be that old. The sheath would seem to be a replacement if the knife is 19th C.

Aurangzeb · 13th May 2005, 04:54 AM

Hi Ian !

Thank you very much for your comments and inquiry regarding the Billao's provenance. Actually, I purchased it on one of 'Oriental Arms' auctions on E-Bay, which is where I obtained the original information regarding it's assumed age. I was wondering if you may be aware of any decent books regarding Somalia, especially weaponry and the 'mad Mullah's' revolts ? Any information that you may be able to impart would be most appreciated ! Thank you for your compliments regarding the digital pictures that I have posted of the Billao !

Best regards,

Mark... computermedic@epix.net

Tim Simmons · 14th May 2005, 10:52 AM

Hello Mark, the white metal on these,I have recently realised is zinc, not pewter as I said in an earlier thread.I am still on the look out for one of these short wide blade type.Tim

Aurangzeb · 14th May 2005, 02:24 PM

Hi Tim!

Very interesting,I whould have never thought of it being zinc I whould have suspected tin or like you said pewter.The brass fittings on my dagger were so tarnished when I got it I at first did not think it was brass!Good luck in finding one of these!

(no sarcasem intended)I have been looking quite some time for a good low priced choora,I have gone to the next step in the search,a freind deployed over in Afghanistan itself.But lets not let this get off the topic of Somali weapons.

Conogre · 14th May 2005, 02:55 PM

That's another of the knives that keeps escaping me, but I'm sure I'll find one eventually...yours is a very nice specimen, by the way.
I find the asymetrical blade fascinating, as well as the unusual pommel arrangement usually seen on them, with both features found on another knife/sword from the general region, the Jile' or Gile', I believe from the Afar people, another case where a tribal weapon's features evolved throughout the region.
Mike

tom hyle · 14th May 2005, 03:36 PM

The two seem to be pretty much versions of each other, with (shades of matulis/talibon, but don't ask me for examples, please!) intermediary forms.
Tim, are you saying the spacers are always/traditionally zinc? I've taken ones I've seen for lead, and they seem to be composed of layers of almost foil-like thin-ness. Mind you I wouldn't recognize unmixed zinc......so what's the deal?

Aurangzeb · 14th May 2005, 04:42 PM

Hi all!

Like I said earlier the handle is horn but I do not know what type of horn.Any one have any guesses on what it might be?I gussed rhino horn but I am not sure.Does the shape of the butcap/pommel have to do with a diffrent region of Somalia?(1 spike or 3 spike shapes)Does anyone know about why these spacers are put in there and why the handle and blade are so thin?Sorry for so many questions but I find the horn of africa a facenating place.

P.S.-Why does it seem that zinc or lead spacers more previlent than brass,I whould think it whould be the other way around.

11th May 2005, 04:46 AM	#1
Aurangzeb Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 306	Somalian Billao Greetings To Everyone ! Here I have posted what has been described as a 19th century Somalian 'Billao'. The measurement of the blade is 7.5 inches long by 2 inches wide at it's widest point. Brass spacers are sandwiched in between the two sections of horn handle. It's handle is made of horn and of course shows several 'nicks and dings' from useage. It sports a sturdy blade with steel butt-cap. The front of the sheath is hardened white leather, while the back is a softer brown leather. There is a 'belt loop' cut into the back of the sheath. Not very visable in the accompanying pictures is an 'X' shape design pressed into the soft leather. As received, the sheath required some minor repair work which was successful. Shown in one of the digital photographs is an 'Italian Mandate' Somalia 1950 1 Centesimo coin. Your comments, as always, are most welcome. Enjoy ! Mark.. Attached Images

13th May 2005, 04:54 AM	#3
Aurangzeb Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 306	Somalian Billao Information... Hi Ian ! Thank you very much for your comments and inquiry regarding the Billao's provenance. Actually, I purchased it on one of 'Oriental Arms' auctions on E-Bay, which is where I obtained the original information regarding it's assumed age. I was wondering if you may be aware of any decent books regarding Somalia, especially weaponry and the 'mad Mullah's' revolts ? Any information that you may be able to impart would be most appreciated ! Thank you for your compliments regarding the digital pictures that I have posted of the Billao ! Best regards, Mark... computermedic@epix.net

11th May 2005, 01:52 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	Thanks Mark. Great pictures. You mention that it is thought to be 19th C., and it seems to have some age and wear. Is there a provenance that came with this one to sugegst it may be that old. The sheath would seem to be a replacement if the knife is 19th C.

14th May 2005, 10:52 AM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Hello Mark, the white metal on these,I have recently realised is zinc, not pewter as I said in an earlier thread.I am still on the look out for one of these short wide blade type.Tim

14th May 2005, 02:24 PM	#5
Aurangzeb Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 306	Hi Tim! Very interesting,I whould have never thought of it being zinc I whould have suspected tin or like you said pewter.The brass fittings on my dagger were so tarnished when I got it I at first did not think it was brass!Good luck in finding one of these! (no sarcasem intended)I have been looking quite some time for a good low priced choora,I have gone to the next step in the search,a freind deployed over in Afghanistan itself.But lets not let this get off the topic of Somali weapons.

14th May 2005, 02:55 PM	#6
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	That's another of the knives that keeps escaping me, but I'm sure I'll find one eventually...yours is a very nice specimen, by the way. I find the asymetrical blade fascinating, as well as the unusual pommel arrangement usually seen on them, with both features found on another knife/sword from the general region, the Jile' or Gile', I believe from the Afar people, another case where a tribal weapon's features evolved throughout the region. Mike

14th May 2005, 03:36 PM	#7
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	The two seem to be pretty much versions of each other, with (shades of matulis/talibon, but don't ask me for examples, please!) intermediary forms. Tim, are you saying the spacers are always/traditionally zinc? I've taken ones I've seen for lead, and they seem to be composed of layers of almost foil-like thin-ness. Mind you I wouldn't recognize unmixed zinc......so what's the deal?

14th May 2005, 04:42 PM	#8
Aurangzeb Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 306	Hi all! Like I said earlier the handle is horn but I do not know what type of horn.Any one have any guesses on what it might be?I gussed rhino horn but I am not sure.Does the shape of the butcap/pommel have to do with a diffrent region of Somalia?(1 spike or 3 spike shapes)Does anyone know about why these spacers are put in there and why the handle and blade are so thin?Sorry for so many questions but I find the horn of africa a facenating place. P.S.-Why does it seem that zinc or lead spacers more previlent than brass,I whould think it whould be the other way around.