Sahara daggers "telek"

Martin Lubojacky · 11th April 2015, 02:00 PM

Hi Colin,
My opinion is tghat in the concrete this your daggers were used by Tuaregs (and maybe some specific clan) and maybe also their menial men. Definitely not by Hausa and Bidda, and probably not by Fulani. But this is only opinion, I did not study literature on this.
Martin

Iain · 11th April 2015, 02:53 PM

Hi Colin,

To echo what Martin has written, as far as I know these are more or less a Tuareg exclusive. There are apparently regional differences in terms of the hilt styles.

While forms like the takouba cross over between groups, arm daggers seems to be one of those areas where a more tribal approach was taken.

My understanding from looking at museum examples with collection notes is that your pair is probably from Niger around Agadez.

Attached is one of the other major styles which is associated with Algerian Tuaregs. (image source: Musee du Quai Branly online collections).

CharlesS · 11th April 2015, 03:53 PM

These are the fine elegant old ones...far preferable to the blingy abstract forms being made for tourists today.

Nice pieces...all of them!

Tim Simmons · 11th April 2015, 04:58 PM

I used to like these especially the long Tuareg? form. The only one I have left, which I kept as metal keeps better than the rather delicate goat leather. Is a Nupe? among other peoples example. Typical Bida workmanship.

Iain · 11th April 2015, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I used to like these especially the long Tuareg? form. The only one I have left, which I kept as metal keeps better than the rather delicate goat leather. Is a Nupe? among other peoples example. Typical Bida workmanship.

Hi Tim, should be Nupe from Bida. But that doesn't mean they didn't export them for Tuaregs!

11th April 2015, 02:53 PM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	Hi Colin, To echo what Martin has written, as far as I know these are more or less a Tuareg exclusive. There are apparently regional differences in terms of the hilt styles. While forms like the takouba cross over between groups, arm daggers seems to be one of those areas where a more tribal approach was taken. My understanding from looking at museum examples with collection notes is that your pair is probably from Niger around Agadez. Attached is one of the other major styles which is associated with Algerian Tuaregs. (image source: Musee du Quai Branly online collections). Attached Images

11th April 2015, 04:58 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,879	I used to like these especially the long Tuareg? form. The only one I have left, which I kept as metal keeps better than the rather delicate goat leather. Is a Nupe? among other peoples example. Typical Bida workmanship. Attached Images

11th April 2015, 02:00 PM	#1
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 845	Hi Colin, My opinion is tghat in the concrete this your daggers were used by Tuaregs (and maybe some specific clan) and maybe also their menial men. Definitely not by Hausa and Bidda, and probably not by Fulani. But this is only opinion, I did not study literature on this. Martin

11th April 2015, 03:53 PM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	These are the fine elegant old ones...far preferable to the blingy abstract forms being made for tourists today. Nice pieces...all of them!