Mandara mountains tabouka

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Tim,
I've really been intrigued by this piece and have gone through as much as I can find on Cameroon weapons. Its been a truly fascinating adventure! From what I can find in previous posts and threads, there are indeed arm daggers somewhat similar to this that you noted were South Saharan, and in the weapons of Cameroon there seem to be wide variations.

Going by what I have read, I would presume your piece might be a tebu/tabu hilt mounted with a sword blade, therefore an arm dagger hilt. Naturally I dont think this would be worn on the arm with a 33" blade, but the reworked scabbard retains its arm loop. The blade and wrapwork on the hilt to me suggest possibly Bali tribal group, but I am uncertain if that would concur with the Mandara attribution you note.

The debate on the diffusion of weapon forms and blades throughout Africa has been going on for a very long time. The key to most of this is to focus on trade route networks, colonial incursion and nomadic movement /interaction. It is really not unusual to see weapons vast distances from thier origins in Africa, and I've always enjoyed the challenge of trying to trace some of these movements.

Very nice acquisition Tim! and a great study piece!!!

All best regards,
Jim

[Tim Simmons]

The Mandara region may be quite sizable and could be home to a couple of related peoples. If I put my hand through the arm loop I might not get it off again so I will get my wife to model it. I can see no reason why it could not be worn on the inside of the forearm hilt to the hand. I will try and get magnified day light pictures of the weld so one can see the slag affected metal.

[Tim Simmons]

I am not really that knowledgeable about welding having only done a small amount of gas welding. However as you can see from these magnified day light pictures this weld is quite delicate work and one can see there was never a complete brake. The weld and forging of the blade have been done at the same time. One side shows more layering of the metal. It is clear that slag was a problem. Also arc welding would not fit the age of the handle. I have never seen arc welding not burn the surrounding area. Arc welding became widely used in the 1920s so I doubt available in the backwoods of Africa, possibly Oxyacetylene in cities. The weld is not all scabby like the flash pictures make out.

[Tim Simmons]

On the person.

[Lew]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

On the person.

Tim

Cute doggy is it a Jack Russell terrier?


Lew

[fearn]

So...can your wife actually draw the sword when it's on her arm?

[katana]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Also arc welding would not fit the age of the handle. I have never seen arc welding not burn the surrounding area. Arc welding became widely used in the 1920s so I doubt available in the backwoods of Africa, possibly Oxyacetylene in cities. The weld is not all scabby like the flash pictures make out.

Hi Tim
I was thinking more along the lines that... if welded it was much later than when forged, (later damage repair?)

A forge weld would only require (in this instance) two pieces of steel/iron (the 2 halves of the blade), AFAIK the correct heat, flux and hammering would create an almost seamless joint. The join in your pictures (the 'raised' seam) suggests that a third 'piece' of steel/iron was added ie from an arc welding rod or, if gas welded, some 'donor' steel/iron (for instance the 'coat hanger wire' suggested by Robert)

With my very basic knowledge of the forging process, I thought that...

If the blade had been damaged / broken then to facillitate a forge weld the handle would have been removed. The two halves (of the blade) would have then been heated to a high temperature and cooled very slowly (to normalise and relieve stresses within the metal structure) this would remove the temper and 'hardness'. Then the two halves would have been forged welded (heat/hammer work), and once done, shaped. It is likely that the whole blade would again be heated to a high temperature and very slowly cooled ....to again remove stresses in the metal's structure (sometimes done several times). Finally the whole blade would heated to the correct heat/colour and quenched to give the blade its final hardness/temper.

Any how, whether I'm right or wrong.... it is still a good piece. Showing how it was worn brings the 'sword to life'.

Kind Regards David

[fernando]

Not forgetting the dog
What's his name ?

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Tim,
Thank you so much for displaying the reference which shows this weapon is indeed Mandala, which reference is it?
It's funny, I've always added references and page numbers etc. in my posts as a matter of habit, as well as very academic colleagues who emphasized the importance of adding such supporting information. Working without my resources at hand I rely very much on past posted material in the archives, and the few resources I typically have with me. In any case this was good exercise in trying to identify this sword, and I appreciate this reference now added to my notes.

The common goal I share with the staff and many of the members here is virtually building a resource network that we can all share in researching and learning about these weapons. In the time I spent reviewing posts to try to confirm the identification of this sword, I must say your contributions have been key to the core of knowledge here on African weapons, along with of course Freddy, Lew and many of the others who have added vital observations.

Now that I know this weapon is from Mandala, I also now see how such a long weapon was worn (very nicely shown ! and please thank your wife for her kind assistance).

Nicely done Tim!
All the best,
Jim

[Tim Simmons]

The sword can be drawn when the arm is moved so that the elbow is pointing straight out behind the body.

In forge welding more than two pieces of metal can be joined. Metal can be introduced to the work. In the sword you can see that for the environment and one just has to study the materials of the piece, I would say this was the work of a highly skilled smith an artist no-less.

The dog is called "Patch" he is a "Parson Russell" He works as a PAT dog -Pets As Therapy. They are hard to train, lively with a very strong hunting instinct he is always ready to fight. He is neutered and muzzled when let free, glad I am not a dog. I would not recommend then even if he is sweet and loving to people.

Forgot to mention the pictures are from "Waffen aus Zentral-Afrika" a simply most have book. They come up quite frequently on Belgian ebay so watch out for a copy. Thanks for all the interest, I received the club I mentioned at the start of the thread. I am saving it to post on Christmas day for relaxation when mother inlaw has gone home .