Very nice examples Lew!!! and its great to see groupings like this that show the variations in these weapon forms.
A number of years ago I was discussing these interesting 'X' hilt daggers with a friend who was of the Beja, and from Eritrea. He noted that the Eritrean and Hadendoa forms typically had the curved blade, but emphatically insisted that the 'hooked' blade examples belonged to the Afar, from the Danakil region in Ethiopia. Naturally this may be simply his opinion, but he seemed extremely aware of the weaponry in these regions, and actually loaned me a video of Eritrean dance ceremonies. In these, the dancers were using various weapons, most memorable to me being the kaskara, and of course all the dialogue, singing and chanting was in the local language.
I recall being in my den while viewing this, and actually pretty much 'getting into' the music and dancing (though I did restrain myself from actually dragging out one of my kaskaras, recalling the deadly tulwar incident!).
My wife finally had to beg an end to my ceremony
but it was really fascinating to watch!!
Just thought this might be of interest.
BTW, has anyone else ever thought about how much these hilts look like ancient Celtic anthromorphic hilts?
All the best,
Jim