HERE ARE A FEW MORE PICTURES TWO WERE IDENTIFIED AS FROM GHANNA, IVORY COAST, ONE BEING 50 INCHES LONG. THE LARGE ONES ARE USED AS SWORDS OF STATE AND THE KING AND OTHER IMPORTANT PEOPLE WERE ALLOWED TO HAVE THEM. THE HANDLES WERE OFTEN COVERED IN GOLD LEAF AND HAD TAILSMEN IN THE SHAPE OF VARIOUS ANIMALS IN GOLD. I USED TO HAVE SOME PICTURES OF SUCH SWORDS AND KINGS BUT THE COMPUTER ATE THEM.
YOUR EXAMPLES ARE MODERN OF A SMALLER SIZE AND NOT MADE IN THE TRADITIONAL WAY SO WOULD NOT QUALIFY AS SWORD OF STATE. BUT THEY ARE INTERESTING IN THEIR OWN RIGHT. I WONDER IF THERE WAS A SET #1 THROUGH 20 PERHAPS EACH WITH A DIFFERENT PATTERN OF PIERCINGS IN THE BLADE, OR IF THE NUMBER DESIGNATED THE MEMBER OF A SECRET SOCIETY OR LODGE. ITS ALWAYS FUN TO SPECULATE ON SUCH ITEMS AND WONDER WHAT WAS THE INTENT OF THE MAKERS OR THOSE WHO USED THEM. EITHER WAY THEY ARE PURELY FOR CEREMONY OR DANCE NOT ACTUAL WORK. WELCOME TO THE FORUM FACTS AND GUESSES FOR FREE!!!
