The Takouba Sword.

[Jim McDougall]

Ed, thank you so much for this translated Lhote!!!! My copy is still in French, and in the heaps of old notes that must be excavated
Thank you as well for working on the Briggs article......this is probably one of the most important arms articles on these as well as markings.It is long unavailable from JAAS and scholarly use should be OK as far as I know.

Peter, great entry there!!

As noted, it seems Iain has sort of 'left the building' on the takouba quest and gone on to other pursuits, which is to me very sad as he probably added more impetus to this field than can be described. His site was a goldmine of information, and the book he hoped to publish never materialized.
So I guess its up to us here to revive the search to compile data on the takouba and put together a study base.
There is tons of material in these forum pages, so its about itemizing topics and talking points to centralize and somewhat structure the material here.

[Marc M.]

It is indeed a shame that Ian's takouba site has disappeared, a book on these facinating swords would be welcome, perhaps the niche is too small to be published. I just bought my sixth takouba. After receiving the sword I will post it.
Regards
Marc

[Yvain]

Peter,


You can't imagine how happy I am to see this translation of Lhote shared around, since I translated it myself from French to English !


Regarding the takouba.org website, some parts can be accessed through the wayback machine (https://web.archive.org), and maybe someone could reach to Iain through his main website (https://iainnorman.com/). It would be interesting to have that website revived, maybe even managed by the forum admins if Iain doesn't feel like maintaining it himself.


Also, here is in my opinion the most important article available regarding the takouba (p. 121 to 168) : https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bp...4815/f143.item .


Regarding the tip of the takouba, I'm convinced it was purposefully made that way to slash with the tip, I don't thing Tuaregs used to stab a lot with the takouba. I'm working on Tuareg fencing and have started to write an article on the subject, I will share it here if/when it is finished.

[Edster]

Here's a link to some of Iain's Takouba essays. Would be wise to print them out while they are still available.

https://iainnorman.com/category/african-arms

Ed

[Jim McDougall]

Peter, to say WELL DONE! would be an understatement! Your taking on this once well traveled topic, and despite being outside your areas of study, done far more than due diligence in understanding key points for presentation here.

You have also advocated for saving a most important field of study here from oblivion.......I admit to having become complacent as other areas were studied...but my interest is profoundly piqued again!

Clearly there are numbers of us here who over the years were deeply involved in studying these weapons, and it is so good to see them here to,
'get the band back together' !!!

Ed, VERY good point on copying those excellent works by Iain before they are lost. His work deserved to be published so that those with interests in these areas of Saharan weapons would have reference material despite loss of online source.

I do hope we can rebuild these many years of important research into an archival thread here that might provide such reference material.

Thank you Peter! and everybody coming in on this!

Jim

[Peter Hudson]

Thank you Jim, and with everyones help I am certain we can put together a most interesting thread here...Peter.

Readers may note that earlier on the page I placed the body part names of the Takouba...The button/ rectangular /conical top of the pommel is known as the 'bare head'

[Peter Hudson]

From a web source https://minikatana.com/blogs/main/af...-tuareg-blades goes on to underline the deep understanding involving this sword form...
QUOTE"Moreover, the sword as a symbol of status and valor is evident in the way it is presented and used in various ceremonies. Among the Tuareg, the act of gifting a Takouba is a gesture of immense respect, often reserved for warriors of high esteem or visitors deemed worthy of such honor. The Takouba's role in rituals underscores its importance not just as a weapon but as an item embodying the essence of Tuareg society."UNQUOTE.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Peter Hudson

From a web source https://minikatana.com/blogs/main/af...-tuareg-blades goes on to underline the deep understanding involving this sword form...
QUOTE"Moreover, the sword as a symbol of status and valor is evident in the way it is presented and used in various ceremonies. Among the Tuareg, the act of gifting a Takouba is a gesture of immense respect, often reserved for warriors of high esteem or visitors deemed worthy of such honor. The Takouba's role in rituals underscores its importance not just as a weapon but as an item embodying the essence of Tuareg society."UNQUOTE.

Peter this is the reason the takouba still resonates among these tribes as important as an element of status, social bearing and tribal tradition. So many examples identified by Iain were hilted in 70s or 80s, some even later, but with old blades that have been circulating for generations, even centuries.
This has of course often resulted in the derisive, shallow comments scoffing at many as 'tourist' souvenirs. Most of these were made for genuine tribal wear....but tourists do try to buy them, and often the tribesmen do sell them.
However, there are many occasions recounted, as by one guy I knew who had been in the Sahara, where the tribesmen adamantly declined the sale of one takouba they had.....obviously with blade of key importance.

On facebook, I think you can access pages of the takouba society still, at least in that group on facebook.