African small sword id request

Jim McDougall · 25th July 2015, 05:27 PM

Roland, thank you for posting this, and for your interest in pursuing more on the nature and origins of this unusual item. I believe it is a traditional item perhaps used in ceremonial events and while clearly quite modern, reflecting the styling long standing.
It seems to have character of items from Manding culture but these were diffused widely into adjoining regions and tribal groups.

These kinds of items (often tempting to think of in the sense of European sword canes) may be vestigial forms of earlier pieces which were actually bladed. It seems inherent in many, if not even most, unusual African arms and armour, that many of these were rather iconic and symbolic and used in the extremely important events and activities of these tribal peoples.

25th July 2015, 05:27 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,189	Roland, thank you for posting this, and for your interest in pursuing more on the nature and origins of this unusual item. I believe it is a traditional item perhaps used in ceremonial events and while clearly quite modern, reflecting the styling long standing. It seems to have character of items from Manding culture but these were diffused widely into adjoining regions and tribal groups. These kinds of items (often tempting to think of in the sense of European sword canes) may be vestigial forms of earlier pieces which were actually bladed. It seems inherent in many, if not even most, unusual African arms and armour, that many of these were rather iconic and symbolic and used in the extremely important events and activities of these tribal peoples.