Gilao or Bille'???

roanoa · 30th July 2005, 03:09 AM

Question for you guys: I know the bottom knife is a GILLE' form the Afar/Danakil tribes. I know the middle one is a Somalian BILLAO. So, what's the top one? The hilt is that of a Billao, but the blade resembles the Gille'. Has any of you seen a dagger like this before and can identify the area it's from? Thank, Ron

Lew · 30th July 2005, 03:19 AM

Hi Roanoa

The top one is Billao just another variation of the dagger.

Lew

Tim Simmons · 30th July 2005, 08:57 AM

Thats a nice trio, I find the top one most interesting, have you got the scabbards?
I have a version with a similar blade to the top one, I think the blade on your one is a little longer and mine does not have the projections on the pommel but the form is the same, here is apicture to compare. Tim

roanoa · 31st July 2005, 07:46 PM

Here is the scabbard. I have several Gille' and Billao. They all follow a pretty standard pattern. The one I posted seems to have combined features from both. And that's what I had found interesting. Cheers, RON

roanoa · 31st July 2005, 07:49 PM

Forgot to add the picture... I am really getting old... RON

Lew · 31st July 2005, 08:10 PM

Ron

Maybe the smith who made this came from mixed tribal parents or he was just a bit confused about the buyers heritage so he basically killed two birds with one stone?

Lew

roanoa · 31st July 2005, 09:37 PM

That was my thought. All the Billao I have seen have the point of the blade pretty much on the same axis as the grip. All the Gile' I have seen have the point of the blade a couple of inches off the axis. The major features of this pieces point to a Billao, but the Gile' influence is interesting. Have you ever seen a Billao with a similar blade? RON

30th July 2005, 03:09 AM	#1
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 235	Gilao or Bille'??? Question for you guys: I know the bottom knife is a GILLE' form the Afar/Danakil tribes. I know the middle one is a Somalian BILLAO. So, what's the top one? The hilt is that of a Billao, but the blade resembles the Gille'. Has any of you seen a dagger like this before and can identify the area it's from? Thank, Ron Attached Images

30th July 2005, 08:57 AM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Thats a nice trio, I find the top one most interesting, have you got the scabbards? I have a version with a similar blade to the top one, I think the blade on your one is a little longer and mine does not have the projections on the pommel but the form is the same, here is apicture to compare. Tim Attached Images

31st July 2005, 07:49 PM	#5
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 235	Forgot to add the picture... I am really getting old... RON Attached Images

30th July 2005, 03:19 AM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Roanoa The top one is Billao just another variation of the dagger. Lew

31st July 2005, 07:46 PM	#4
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 235	Here is the scabbard. I have several Gille' and Billao. They all follow a pretty standard pattern. The one I posted seems to have combined features from both. And that's what I had found interesting. Cheers, RON

31st July 2005, 08:10 PM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Ron Maybe the smith who made this came from mixed tribal parents or he was just a bit confused about the buyers heritage so he basically killed two birds with one stone? Lew

31st July 2005, 09:37 PM	#7
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 235	That was my thought. All the Billao I have seen have the point of the blade pretty much on the same axis as the grip. All the Gile' I have seen have the point of the blade a couple of inches off the axis. The major features of this pieces point to a Billao, but the Gile' influence is interesting. Have you ever seen a Billao with a similar blade? RON