It seems like this Mossi sword is most likely to represent zoomorphically the hornbill bird, according to discussions we had in 2008 either on an example identical, or perhaps this may be the same sword. Much as seems to be the case in these Saharan tribal cultures, the blacksmith/sculptors were a separate caste, and feared in thier mystery and secretive ways. Still they were instrumental in rituals and apparantly the hornbill symbolically represented knowledge of secrets.
As brass figures (these smiths were skilled workers in these metals as Iain has noted) were key to validating power, perhaps this sabre was used as a representation of either a royal figure or a member in the court. Brass hilted swords with European type hilts are known of course in regalia status in Nigeria (Bivar's work on that country's weapons). I very much agree with Iain, and there seems to be a range of influences in the weapons of the Mossi, and I have seen some rather large bearing type swords with geometric motif similar to other tribal groups in the Sahara including Tuareg.
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