Takouba Blade Markings

[Jim McDougall]

The recent thread opened by Ed on the mysterious 'enigma' marking described by Briggs (1965) has inspired me to look into some of the other unusual or distinct markings found on takouba blades. In many cases these have transcended into the sphere of the kaskara of the Sudan, but I wanted to look further at these Saharan examples.

This takouba has a blade which appears to be an 18th century hanger or short saber blade, probably German and with a slight curve, single edge. This places it categorically as the takouba form termed 'aljuinar' (for curved blade).
What is curious is the sort of horseshoe shape mark in the blade.

With European blades of these forms of 18th c. often various symbols in much the same position sometimes occur, obviously the running wolf, or the fleur de lis. It is tempting to think of this perhaps being the omega, but this is not typically seen used in this manner, and the mark is crudely executed so probably native.

I am imaging by the leather work on hilt and scabbard this might be from Saharan regions from Mali, Burkina Faso as it seems also with Cameroon in mind. Thoughts as well?

Much of Tuareg symbolism can be found on material culture items of course, and jewelry. I recently acquired the 1958 "Au Sahara" by Jean Gabus, and on p.60, this type mark is used in linear fashion on boxes in the silver thread.
It is described as 'haver' or sabot (Fr.=hoof).
So my question is, why would this 'hoof' mark be so placed on the blade?

We know that the familiar dual moons (dukari) are intended to imbue magic into the blade. We are still unclear on what the 'enigma' mark which seems to have been from the Agadez regions of Air in Niger c. 1916.

Any ideas on the symbolism of a horse hoof in Tuareg parlance?