Mursi knife (?)

Martin Lubojacky · 8th January 2010, 05:54 PM

Allow me to share picture of interesting Ethiopian knife.This knife was acquired in Addis Abeba. Just knife without sheath is 37 cm long. Handle is made of 2 pieces of horn (lower part dark and fair above), the sheath is made of thick heavy skin. Reseller said it was Mursi knife. My opinion is it is comming from Omo river or southwest of Jinka town (which does not exclude Mursi). I think so as the blade has the same features like e.g. Tsamai knives (blade is concave and the edge begins on the upper side near the tip - see small propuberance, it continues through the tip and ends cca 3 cms from the handle - you can see small stile). Nevertheless Tsamai knives have different handles and their blades are heavier.
Any findings and remarks are welcome.
Regards
Martin

Lew · 8th January 2010, 07:18 PM

The dagger reminds me of a Somali bilao.

ariel · 9th January 2010, 12:13 AM

Or Shibriya...
http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos/...03467/ph-0.jpg

Jim McDougall · 9th January 2010, 12:18 AM

I agree, it does seem to have shibraya characteristics. Not hard to imagine that influence coming in via Red Sea trade.

8th January 2010, 05:54 PM	#1
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	Mursi knife (?) Allow me to share picture of interesting Ethiopian knife.This knife was acquired in Addis Abeba. Just knife without sheath is 37 cm long. Handle is made of 2 pieces of horn (lower part dark and fair above), the sheath is made of thick heavy skin. Reseller said it was Mursi knife. My opinion is it is comming from Omo river or southwest of Jinka town (which does not exclude Mursi). I think so as the blade has the same features like e.g. Tsamai knives (blade is concave and the edge begins on the upper side near the tip - see small propuberance, it continues through the tip and ends cca 3 cms from the handle - you can see small stile). Nevertheless Tsamai knives have different handles and their blades are heavier. Any findings and remarks are welcome. Regards Martin Attached Images

8th January 2010, 07:18 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	The dagger reminds me of a Somali bilao. Attached Images

9th January 2010, 12:13 AM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Or Shibriya... http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos/...03467/ph-0.jpg

9th January 2010, 12:18 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,951	I agree, it does seem to have shibraya characteristics. Not hard to imagine that influence coming in via Red Sea trade.