Sudan or Egypt?

Kubur · 30th August 2015, 09:11 AM

Hi Guys,

Please, could you help me?
Is it a Beja dagger?
If I follow some old posts this kind kind of hilt is not older than 1916...
Is it true?
Then the drawing and Arabic on the blade look like some Jambiya in Yemen.
These Jambiya are from 1915-1930ties...
Any comments or ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks

Kubur

Sajen · 30th August 2015, 10:44 AM

Hello Kubur,

not my area of collecting but I think it's a Beja dagger, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=beja

Regards,
Detlef

BANDOOK · 30th August 2015, 12:18 PM

Hi Kubur Antique dagger used by Hedendoa tribe of Sudan
Regards Rajesh

Edster · 30th August 2015, 05:47 PM

Kubur,

The "X" shape handle seems to have gone through a stylistic evolution and has perhaps become a more cultural shape (Hadendawa branch of the Beja and Kassala Region) although it is still serviceable with a two finger grip. See this link and my post #3 regards the pre-1916 date.
http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?p=158587

Regards,
Ed

Kubur · 30th August 2015, 06:14 PM

Thanks Ed
I have seen this very good thread.
So if I follow you, this kind of dagger could be from the end of 19th c.?
It'll be nice! I would like to have the opinion of some members specialist of Yemeni jambiya. I can see some cultural links with Yemen...
The problem with African weapons is that they get a patina very quickly and even for an old fox like me, it's difficult to see if they are old or not...

Edster · 30th August 2015, 11:31 PM

Kubur,

I agree on the difficulty of dating. The design of your grip with the sharper points was being made new as late as 1986, but the scabbard is of better quality than of that era. More rounder tips and more pronounced back-to-back "C"s would have been earlier, say during the British Condominium. Also, more narrow grips relate to the diminished availability of big Black Wood trees. Older growth had thicker black parts with brown sap wood on the outside. Wide all black grips would be from bigger trees and older. The inscription on the blade may offer a clue.

Regards,
Ed

Battara · 1st September 2015, 01:28 AM

Eritrea also used the beja dagger as well..........

colin henshaw · 2nd September 2015, 08:32 PM

The engraved image (bird ?) to the blade is unusual. Would be interesting to know what the Arabic script says. Anything on the other side ?

Kubur · 3rd September 2015, 10:05 AM

Hi,
Nothing on the other side.
Some Yemeni Jambiya have an human figure, other even a cow!
A lot of Jordanian Shibriya have birds on their blade.
Also I would like to know what the text says!!
Best,
Kubur

30th August 2015, 09:11 AM	#1
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Sudan or Egypt? Hi Guys, Please, could you help me? Is it a Beja dagger? If I follow some old posts this kind kind of hilt is not older than 1916... Is it true? Then the drawing and Arabic on the blade look like some Jambiya in Yemen. These Jambiya are from 1915-1930ties... Any comments or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks Kubur Attached Images

30th August 2015, 10:44 AM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,788	Hello Kubur, not my area of collecting but I think it's a Beja dagger, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=beja Regards, Detlef

30th August 2015, 12:18 PM	#3
BANDOOK Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: AUCKLAND,NEW ZEALAND Posts: 624	Hi Kubur Antique dagger used by Hedendoa tribe of Sudan Regards Rajesh

30th August 2015, 05:47 PM	#4
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 408	Kubur, The "X" shape handle seems to have gone through a stylistic evolution and has perhaps become a more cultural shape (Hadendawa branch of the Beja and Kassala Region) although it is still serviceable with a two finger grip. See this link and my post #3 regards the pre-1916 date. http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?p=158587 Regards, Ed

30th August 2015, 06:14 PM	#5
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Thanks Ed I have seen this very good thread. So if I follow you, this kind of dagger could be from the end of 19th c.? It'll be nice! I would like to have the opinion of some members specialist of Yemeni jambiya. I can see some cultural links with Yemen... The problem with African weapons is that they get a patina very quickly and even for an old fox like me, it's difficult to see if they are old or not...

30th August 2015, 11:31 PM	#6
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 408	Kubur, I agree on the difficulty of dating. The design of your grip with the sharper points was being made new as late as 1986, but the scabbard is of better quality than of that era. More rounder tips and more pronounced back-to-back "C"s would have been earlier, say during the British Condominium. Also, more narrow grips relate to the diminished availability of big Black Wood trees. Older growth had thicker black parts with brown sap wood on the outside. Wide all black grips would be from bigger trees and older. The inscription on the blade may offer a clue. Regards, Ed

1st September 2015, 01:28 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	Eritrea also used the beja dagger as well..........

2nd September 2015, 08:32 PM	#8
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	The engraved image (bird ?) to the blade is unusual. Would be interesting to know what the Arabic script says. Anything on the other side ?

3rd September 2015, 10:05 AM	#9
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Hi, Nothing on the other side. Some Yemeni Jambiya have an human figure, other even a cow! A lot of Jordanian Shibriya have birds on their blade. Also I would like to know what the text says!! Best, Kubur