Interesting Kaskara from the Askeri Museum

Changdao · 12th August 2025, 10:51 PM

When reviewing the history of the kaskara and swords in Sudan, one must also turn towards Ethiopia. In Gondarine era paintings one can see relatively frequently swords that do look quite similar to kaskaras, except with somewhat different pommels (that do look bulbous).

There is also a direct connection to Sudan, as we are told by a witness report from 1647-1649 that:

When we reached the king (Emperor Fasiladas/Fasilides), his court had already lined up in that building, and the courtiers, i.e. the ministers and others, had dressed up in the most splendid attire and the most stately splendour, being dressed in gowns of silk brocade embroidered with gold, and silk gowns which fill the onlooker with amazement at the unusual art and extreme remarkableness. Around their waists they had put golden girdles, set with marvelous stones and precious gems, which they possess in this world, and we - if God permits - shall possess in the next. They had also in their hands swords from Sunnar, inlaid in the same way with the choicest pure gold. They rush after these splendours, which are quicker to disappear than the receding shadow. They had thus lined up in that assembly, standing in the most beautiful arrangement with their perfect forms according to the lenght of their bodies as God had created them

12th August 2025, 10:51 PM	#8
Changdao Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Spain Posts: 43	When reviewing the history of the kaskara and swords in Sudan, one must also turn towards Ethiopia. In Gondarine era paintings one can see relatively frequently swords that do look quite similar to kaskaras, except with somewhat different pommels (that do look bulbous). There is also a direct connection to Sudan, as we are told by a witness report from 1647-1649 that: When we reached the king (Emperor Fasiladas/Fasilides), his court had already lined up in that building, and the courtiers, i.e. the ministers and others, had dressed up in the most splendid attire and the most stately splendour, being dressed in gowns of silk brocade embroidered with gold, and silk gowns which fill the onlooker with amazement at the unusual art and extreme remarkableness. Around their waists they had put golden girdles, set with marvelous stones and precious gems, which they possess in this world, and we - if God permits - shall possess in the next. They had also in their hands swords from Sunnar, inlaid in the same way with the choicest pure gold. They rush after these splendours, which are quicker to disappear than the receding shadow. They had thus lined up in that assembly, standing in the most beautiful arrangement with their perfect forms according to the lenght of their bodies as God had created them