Interesting African swords

Andy Davis · 3rd February 2006, 08:50 PM

Also from todays hunt!
A takouba, which I find a very nice example. The ones in this same form that I find are usually falling appart. This one very sold and scabbard very trim aswell.
The other one...well dare I say arm sword? Ive seen this style of scabbard on knives and have a similar knife with the type of metal pommel this has but in size its mad. How could you wear this on your arm. Its 39inchs long forge hammerd steel.
Anybody else come across this type?
Cheers
Andy

Tim Simmons · 3rd February 2006, 09:03 PM

Hello Andy, you did well, I am not keen on the Indian pieces but I think these are great especially the takouba. In my opinion they are both from the border areas of NE Nigeria and the Cameroon. The leather work on the handle of the massive "ceremonial?" arm dagger is distinctive. You lucky chap. Some more of the leather work. Tim

Andy Davis · 3rd February 2006, 09:15 PM

I have been convincing myself that I have to specialise and go all Indian but there are still things that get through my good intentions...and these were two! May part with them in the future when I run out of wall space....again! But for now very interesting.
Cheers

Lew · 3rd February 2006, 09:18 PM

That's it! I am moving to the U K you guys have all the best stuff

Lew

Andy Davis · 3rd February 2006, 09:23 PM

No, I got what I wanted but there was a lot that did seem to sell well under value, especially on African spears, of good quality.
I was VERY tempted by a Indian tiger hunting spear, massive pitchfork looking thing but where do you put it!! No, joke intended

B.I · 3rd February 2006, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Davis

I have been convincing myself that I have to specialise and go all Indian .......

COME TO THE DARK SIDE, YOUNG SKYWALKER :-)

Zan · 4th February 2006, 01:07 AM

BTW Andy, I am impressed by this very interesting and well preserved takouba. Can you post more pictures ? The scabbard is definitely not the "typical" one for a takouba. Congratulations!

Regards, Zan

Tim Simmons · 4th February 2006, 06:24 PM

Just had to add this picture, "A history of art in Africa" Thames & Hudson 2000.

King Njoya seated on his throne, Bamun, Cameroon 1912.

Fabulous look at all the the court swords.

Andy Davis · 4th February 2006, 07:03 PM

Yes the scabbard seemed rather odd to me, with the brass throat and chap, trying to emulate a European style. The furniture also looks like it may have been silverd at some time.
Do we still hold to the idea of Nigerian?
Pity it has been cut from its baldric so drastically.
CheersAndy
P.S Brian, I may be going to the darkside but I get Sooooo! tempted by every other side aswell!

Tim Simmons · 4th February 2006, 07:52 PM

To me it does not look like Hausa or Tuareg and western work. The chap in the picture has what looks like a long plain? chape on the sword he is sporting.

Jim McDougall · 6th February 2006, 07:23 AM

I am inclined to agree with attribution of this dagger and sword to northern Nigerian regions, especially in the case of the takouba. The brasswork also tends to reflect that of regions to the west, particularly Benin, while the motif resembles stylized Tuareg influence. The dagger illustrates the degree of diffusion of Tuareg influence into these regions, and vice versa as seen in Fischer & Zirngibl ("African Weapons" p.23) with a Tuareg arm dagger having similar semi-elliptical pommel as seen on this example. In "Weapons and Implements of Savage Races" (Montague, 1921, p.187) a knife with pommel similar is shown as Beri Beri tribe of N.Nigeria.
The sector of Africa which includes Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, all include the Tuareg sphere and are in proximity to the northern borders on Benin.
Although the work on these weapons does not appear consistant with typical Tuareg work, it does appear they carry such influence.
Best regards,
Jim

3rd February 2006, 08:50 PM	#1
Andy Davis Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: England, Northumberland Posts: 85	Interesting African swords Also from todays hunt! A takouba, which I find a very nice example. The ones in this same form that I find are usually falling appart. This one very sold and scabbard very trim aswell. The other one...well dare I say arm sword? Ive seen this style of scabbard on knives and have a similar knife with the type of metal pommel this has but in size its mad. How could you wear this on your arm. Its 39inchs long forge hammerd steel. Anybody else come across this type? Cheers Andy Attached Images

3rd February 2006, 09:03 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Hello Andy, you did well, I am not keen on the Indian pieces but I think these are great especially the takouba. In my opinion they are both from the border areas of NE Nigeria and the Cameroon. The leather work on the handle of the massive "ceremonial?" arm dagger is distinctive. You lucky chap. Some more of the leather work. Tim Attached Images

3rd February 2006, 09:15 PM	#3
Andy Davis Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: England, Northumberland Posts: 85	Ah well I have been convincing myself that I have to specialise and go all Indian but there are still things that get through my good intentions...and these were two! May part with them in the future when I run out of wall space....again! But for now very interesting. Cheers

3rd February 2006, 09:23 PM	#5
Andy Davis Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: England, Northumberland Posts: 85	But I was left the scraps! No, I got what I wanted but there was a lot that did seem to sell well under value, especially on African spears, of good quality. I was VERY tempted by a Indian tiger hunting spear, massive pitchfork looking thing but where do you put it!! No, joke intended

4th February 2006, 07:03 PM	#9
Andy Davis Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: England, Northumberland Posts: 85	I thought that myself Yes the scabbard seemed rather odd to me, with the brass throat and chap, trying to emulate a European style. The furniture also looks like it may have been silverd at some time. Do we still hold to the idea of Nigerian? Pity it has been cut from its baldric so drastically. CheersAndy P.S Brian, I may be going to the darkside but I get Sooooo! tempted by every other side aswell! Attached Images

3rd February 2006, 09:18 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	That's it! I am moving to the U K you guys have all the best stuff Lew

4th February 2006, 01:07 AM	#7
Zan Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montréal, Province of Québec, Canada Posts: 46	BTW Andy, I am impressed by this very interesting and well preserved takouba. Can you post more pictures ? The scabbard is definitely not the "typical" one for a takouba. Congratulations! Regards, Zan

4th February 2006, 06:24 PM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Just had to add this picture, "A history of art in Africa" Thames & Hudson 2000. King Njoya seated on his throne, Bamun, Cameroon 1912. Fabulous look at all the the court swords.

4th February 2006, 07:52 PM	#10
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	To me it does not look like Hausa or Tuareg and western work. The chap in the picture has what looks like a long plain? chape on the sword he is sporting.

6th February 2006, 07:23 AM	#11
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,948	I am inclined to agree with attribution of this dagger and sword to northern Nigerian regions, especially in the case of the takouba. The brasswork also tends to reflect that of regions to the west, particularly Benin, while the motif resembles stylized Tuareg influence. The dagger illustrates the degree of diffusion of Tuareg influence into these regions, and vice versa as seen in Fischer & Zirngibl ("African Weapons" p.23) with a Tuareg arm dagger having similar semi-elliptical pommel as seen on this example. In "Weapons and Implements of Savage Races" (Montague, 1921, p.187) a knife with pommel similar is shown as Beri Beri tribe of N.Nigeria. The sector of Africa which includes Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, all include the Tuareg sphere and are in proximity to the northern borders on Benin. Although the work on these weapons does not appear consistant with typical Tuareg work, it does appear they carry such influence. Best regards, Jim

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