Dahomey cutlass ?

[colin henshaw]

Excellent research !

Richard Burton was a meticulous observor of native customs and material culture, with a keen interest in edged weapons. One would think he would try to take a specimen of the Amazon "razor" back with him, from his visits to Dahomey in the 1860s.

Here is an extract from Rev Wood's 1874 book "The Natural History of Man, Africa"...

Regards
Colin

[katana]

Hi Colin,
thanks .

The illustration of the razor, seems 'suspect' to me ....nearly all the descriptions state the blade is almost the same size as the handle. In use the 'razor' is used 'double handed' . The design illustrated does not fit this criteria and looks like an ordinary barbers razor ...but scaled up. The handle is too wide to grip comfortably. After all the blade would not have to be totally enclosed within the handle ....just the edge.

A practical 'Amazonian razor' IMHO would be similar to a Panabas ....with a 'folding' abillity.

Kind Regards David

[ausjulius]

the description says it is held with a spering in the handle,, like a slipjoint knife , but the drawing shows what looks like the tang of the knife making it a friction folder.. is there any exsample of these knives in exsistance to see the actuial form ?

[katana]

Hi Ausjulius,
I did find a reference (now lost )that stated that the 'handle' of the razor was like a 'black stick'....which made sense, as it fitted the idea that they were used two handed.

The users of the razors were know as 'mowers'......I'm wondering whether they were positioned behind the 'front line'.....so as the battle continued and the front line advanced, the enemy's dead and dying were decapitated or 'finished off' by the advancing 'back lines'. A terrifying psychological effect.
It would explain why they were not used against the French. The superior rifles (most Dahomians had muskets) would, with their superior range and accuracy, prevent any advancement of the Dahomian front line. Below are two drawings of several 'bas reliefs' found on the palaces....

one is ....."represented the throne is the King Kpengla (1744-1789). It is surrounded by a shotgun and a sword whose blade seems an original creation...."

The second shows a mound of decapitated heads with the victor ? King? a decapitated foe holding his arms up in surrender? exhaltation to the victors ??standing on top. Could that 'implement' be a representation of a razor ? perhaps half closed to show that its 'work' is now done ???? There is a curious 'apendage' at the rear of the handle...a spring mechanism ??

Regards David


.

[Tim Simmons]

Looks like a Recade.

[katana]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Looks like a Recade.

I'm inclined to agree with you. It would fit , afterall the Recade is a symbol of status. In Dahomeian society decapitated heads brought both monetary and 'status' rewards.

I have re-discovered the description of the razor having a 'black stick handle' .....what is clear from this extract from "Amazons of Black Sparta: the women warriors of Dahomey" by Stanley Bernard Alpern is the various, slightly conflicting descriptions of the razor....20 lbs seems incredibly heavy

".....One of Dahomey’s armes blanches were unique: a gigantic razor. Invented by one of Gezo’s brothers, it simply copied the standard European straightedge but was several times bigger, and is said to have weighed more than 20lbs. A blade about 24-30 inches long folded into a black wooden handle. (Burton put the blade length at about 18”; Skertchly corrected him.) When extended and held open by a strong spring, the razor measured 4-5 feet. It was carried over the shoulder. Vallon, who first reported the weapon, said it was made specifically for the Amazons who wore Bouet’s fireman’s helmets (which somehow had doubled from 50 – 100). He then dubbed them the Reapers. The razor was wielded with both hands, and, according to Borghero (who raised the total to 200 – 300) could slice a mine in half. Skertchly heard they were intended to decapitate enemy kings.
Maire claims the razors were not only for heads, but for enemy genitals, and that the Amazons “had to triumphantly bring these bloody and ignoble trophies back to the palace”

Burton termed the razors “portable guillotines” and thought if nothing else, “the terror which they inspire may render them useful”......"

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=F...=razor&f=false

Regards David

[Tim Simmons]

Hhh, penis envy.