Dahomey cutlass ?

[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.

[katana]

Many of the descriptions mention that the blade was like a European 'straightedge' with a black stick handle .....so I suppose it looked something like this....

[Martin Lubojacky]

Hello,

Allow me to come back to ceremonial swords from Gulf of Guinea region - just to share pictures. It is concerned Yoruba swords recently acquired in Ibadan (200 kms from Lagos). Except of the one in the centre the blades are embelished from both sides. The blade of upper one is made of very well forged steel, it is stout and springy and also sharp.
Regards,
Martin

[Jim McDougall]

Martin,
Absolutely breathtaking examples, and thank you so much for sharing these with the detail of all the decorative motif! This is key to understanding the symbolism important to these cultures.
Excellent!

All the best,
Jim

[katana]

Very nice Martin ,
I especially like the first and last examples....I think the middle one is more recent. I believe the animal motifs on the last one are chameleons.....

"....The chameleon was thought to be one of the primordial animals that created the universe. Because of its slow walk and slow character, it was too late in bringing the message of the Great One to all people. So instead, the lizard brings death to the world, dooming every living creature to die....."

Regards David

[Martin Lubojacky]

Thank you David and Jim.
David, the middle sword is more recent, but it´s blade was so rusty and after mild cleaning so spotted, that I decided to clean it properly (bicarbonate solution + aluminium). On the other side, it was nearly not necessary to touch the one with chameleons....I did not know what to do with the iron blade, as the rust is going very deep - it was cca 2 months in oil.
In Ibadan I also saw rests of two old ada swords, but the iron blades were too much damaged with rust (parts missing). The handles were made of copper and one very nice - in the form of small statue of Benin soldier.
Regards,
Martin