Kaskara translation

ericlaude · 17th September 2010, 04:34 PM

I receivt this pretty kaskara with hilt and scabbard covert with crocco.
The blade is covert with arabic inscriptions , someone can translate it ?
Thanks in advance.

ericlaude · 17th September 2010, 04:36 PM

First face

ericlaude · 17th September 2010, 04:37 PM

Second face

Jim McDougall · 17th September 2010, 07:05 PM

Hi Ericlaude,
Really interesting!!!! and while we will hopefully see Dom come in to help with translation soon, can you show closeups of the hilt...is this croc foot?

Best,
Jim

ericlaude · 18th September 2010, 12:39 AM

Yes, the hilt is covert with croc foot and one tooth incrusted and the scabbard is covert with the croc back.

David · 18th September 2010, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericlaude

Yes, the hilt is covert with croc foot and one tooth incrusted and the scabbard is covert with the croc back.

I think that is more likely a claw, not a tooth.

Lew · 18th September 2010, 01:20 AM

The writing is probably verses from the Koran. I like the blade but have always thought these kaskara with crocodile coverings were sold to those who traveled for pleasure. Since I have never seen one carried by local in old photos?

Dom · 18th September 2010, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

will hopefully see Dom come in to help with translation soon

here we are
Hi "ericlaude" very nice kaskara indeed
now ... nice things and disappointment

disappointment, because all cartouche are in "thuluth" script
and it's, at least for us, impossible to read it, but no regret, should be only Koranic verses

nice things the 2 mentions gave some datas, unfortunatly, one (1) word is hidden behind the hilt on each side
on one side, as the mention is a "classic" easy to imagine it
but, no way, for the other mention, .. hard luck

first face
(NASR) (word hidden) MENE ALLAH WA FAT KARIB
either
when the VICTORY (word hidden) GRANTED BY ALLAH AND THE CONQUEST come

second face
SANA 1122 either ANNÉE 1710
(word hidden) ?? AL EMIR AL TA'AYCHI either (word hidden) ?? THE PRINCE AL TA'AYCHI

now remains for you to find out who is this "Prince",
certainly a tribal leader, unless his name has left a mark in the history of Sudan,
also ... good hunting

à +

Dom

Jim McDougall · 18th September 2010, 04:22 AM

Thanks very much for the closeups Ericlaude, these croc covered kaskara are really intriguing examples, and there has always been lots on controversy about whether these were actually worn or as Lew notes, interesting souveniers.
I think these were definitely worn, but not by those who were typically standing for photos, and I believe there may be other reasons behind the macabre dress on them. I have always believed there were totemic values in the application of these hides, and this has been confirmed in some degree by individuals from Sudan I have talked with. Also, weapons with these coverings are among holdings in a prominant collection of Mahdist period artifacts and described in the accompanying exhibition catalog from about ten years ago.

Dom, as always, superbly done!!!! I have always wondered just how much these thuluth script renderings would have held in decipherable wording, and how much would have been stylized calligraphy, as often described. The beauty of the script is profoundly effective regardless.

All best regards,
Jim

ericlaude · 18th September 2010, 11:34 AM

Thank you Dom,Jim, David and Lew for your light.
Best regards

17th September 2010, 04:34 PM	#1
ericlaude Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 187	Kaskara translation I receivt this pretty kaskara with hilt and scabbard covert with crocco. The blade is covert with arabic inscriptions , someone can translate it ? Thanks in advance. Attached Images

17th September 2010, 04:36 PM	#2
ericlaude Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 187	First face Attached Images

17th September 2010, 04:37 PM	#3
ericlaude Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 187	Second face Attached Images

18th September 2010, 12:39 AM	#5
ericlaude Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 187	Yes, the hilt is covert with croc foot and one tooth incrusted and the scabbard is covert with the croc back. Attached Images

17th September 2010, 07:05 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,946	Hi Ericlaude, Really interesting!!!! and while we will hopefully see Dom come in to help with translation soon, can you show closeups of the hilt...is this croc foot? Best, Jim

18th September 2010, 01:20 AM	#7
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	The writing is probably verses from the Koran. I like the blade but have always thought these kaskara with crocodile coverings were sold to those who traveled for pleasure. Since I have never seen one carried by local in old photos?

18th September 2010, 04:22 AM	#9
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,946	Thanks very much for the closeups Ericlaude, these croc covered kaskara are really intriguing examples, and there has always been lots on controversy about whether these were actually worn or as Lew notes, interesting souveniers. I think these were definitely worn, but not by those who were typically standing for photos, and I believe there may be other reasons behind the macabre dress on them. I have always believed there were totemic values in the application of these hides, and this has been confirmed in some degree by individuals from Sudan I have talked with. Also, weapons with these coverings are among holdings in a prominant collection of Mahdist period artifacts and described in the accompanying exhibition catalog from about ten years ago. Dom, as always, superbly done!!!! I have always wondered just how much these thuluth script renderings would have held in decipherable wording, and how much would have been stylized calligraphy, as often described. The beauty of the script is profoundly effective regardless. All best regards, Jim

18th September 2010, 11:34 AM	#10
ericlaude Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 187	Thank you Dom,Jim, David and Lew for your light. Best regards