Opinions on a Takouba

[TVV]

The use of either leather, or brass/copper in covering the hilts of thier swords has to do with the concept that the Tuareg must avoid touching iron or white metal which has negative and deadly properties.Presumably the sheath coverings further carry this function, along with decorative motif that is intended to protect the owner from the evil eye.

Jim, I have a takouba with a hilt, encased in white metal, except for the crossguard, which is covered in leather, some of which is missing unfortunately. I do not have the scabbard, and I think the sword is from the 60s the earliest - the blade is extremely flexible, and I guess it was made from a recycle car spring or who knows what. The motif on the hilt is a common serpentine, which would probably serve to repel the evil eye, but why would the encasing be of white metal? Would that signify a sword made for the tourist market?