African ethno sabre for coments

fernando · 13th August 2008, 12:30 AM

It took me over four months and lots of complications to get this piece out of Customs

... result of the recent Portuguese arms law. So the nowadays collecting saga is all over, Gentlemen

.
It was bought as being a work of the Dogon, from Bamba Mali, dated 19th century or earlier. No doubt the influence of an European sabre. The blade is crude, beaten work, probably rought iron (?). The bronze hilt is rather interesting; i wonder what kind of animal would that be, in the pommel ... or is it a fantasy ?
The leather scabbard, with some decoration, is in a fragile condition; extremely shrunk, not wise to fit in the sword any more ... but is the real thing though.

Coments will so much welcome.

Fernando

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Lew · 13th August 2008, 02:43 AM

Fernando

I love the hilt it's a very nice unique sword definately West African.

Congrats

Lew

colin henshaw · 13th August 2008, 08:04 AM

Very interesting piece, I have not seen a similar - the sword certainly has a Bambara or Dogon look. The handle probably represents a hyena, as do some Bambara masks...

I assume the inspiration would be a French army officer's sword.

Regards

Martin Lubojacky · 13th August 2008, 08:26 AM

The pommel (bird head ?) is very interesting. I think you can find similar swords (sabres) in Sahel region cca from N´Djamena further to the west.

Tim Simmons · 13th August 2008, 02:15 PM

Very nice. The pommel may be a representation of a Hornbill bird which have great significance in Burkina Faso and other sahel regions. There are also similarities to the bird of prophecy relevant to parts of present day nigeria. I feel it is from further west of Nigeria.

Google Hornbill cults Burkina Faso.

Freddy · 13th August 2008, 04:22 PM

Nice sword.

Tim is probably right.

Perhaps it's the type of sword as was used by the female warriors (amazones) from the kingdom of Dahomey. Their king was called the 'Fon'. These women were called 'Ahosi'. They were the king's personal bodyguard and rather fierce.
More about these women can be read in 'African Arms and Armour' by Christopher Spring.

Here's an old postcard with some of these (already older) women. They all wear sabres.

katana · 13th August 2008, 08:38 PM

Hi Fernando,
interesting sword. The zoomorphic pommel looks, to me, more reptilian. The lizard, in African mythology, especially in the West, is associated with death. According to the myth 'God' sent a chameleon with the message of eternal life for all, however a faster agile lizard was sent with the message of death. The Chameleon was delayed and the lizard arrived first, delivered the message and the matter settled, dooming mankind with death.

Perhaps, the symbolism of the 'messenger of death' is more apt for a sword ?

The 'eye socket' of the head looks as if there was something mounted there...to represent the eye...now missing?

Kind Regards David

13th August 2008, 12:30 AM	#1
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,675	African ethno sabre for coments It took me over four months and lots of complications to get this piece out of Customs ... result of the recent Portuguese arms law. So the nowadays collecting saga is all over, Gentlemen . It was bought as being a work of the Dogon, from Bamba Mali, dated 19th century or earlier. No doubt the influence of an European sabre. The blade is crude, beaten work, probably rought iron (?). The bronze hilt is rather interesting; i wonder what kind of animal would that be, in the pommel ... or is it a fantasy ? The leather scabbard, with some decoration, is in a fragile condition; extremely shrunk, not wise to fit in the sword any more ... but is the real thing though. Coments will so much welcome. Fernando . Attached Images

13th August 2008, 02:15 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,755	Very nice. The pommel may be a representation of a Hornbill bird which have great significance in Burkina Faso and other sahel regions. There are also similarities to the bird of prophecy relevant to parts of present day nigeria. I feel it is from further west of Nigeria. Google Hornbill cults Burkina Faso. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 13th August 2008 at 02:30 PM.

13th August 2008, 02:43 AM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Fernando I love the hilt it's a very nice unique sword definately West African. Congrats Lew

13th August 2008, 08:04 AM	#3
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Very interesting piece, I have not seen a similar - the sword certainly has a Bambara or Dogon look. The handle probably represents a hyena, as do some Bambara masks... I assume the inspiration would be a French army officer's sword. Regards

13th August 2008, 08:26 AM	#4
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 836	The pommel (bird head ?) is very interesting. I think you can find similar swords (sabres) in Sahel region cca from N´Djamena further to the west.

13th August 2008, 04:22 PM	#6
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Nice sword. Tim is probably right. Perhaps it's the type of sword as was used by the female warriors (amazones) from the kingdom of Dahomey. Their king was called the 'Fon'. These women were called 'Ahosi'. They were the king's personal bodyguard and rather fierce. More about these women can be read in 'African Arms and Armour' by Christopher Spring. Here's an old postcard with some of these (already older) women. They all wear sabres.

13th August 2008, 08:38 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Fernando, interesting sword. The zoomorphic pommel looks, to me, more reptilian. The lizard, in African mythology, especially in the West, is associated with death. According to the myth 'God' sent a chameleon with the message of eternal life for all, however a faster agile lizard was sent with the message of death. The Chameleon was delayed and the lizard arrived first, delivered the message and the matter settled, dooming mankind with death. Perhaps, the symbolism of the 'messenger of death' is more apt for a sword ? The 'eye socket' of the head looks as if there was something mounted there...to represent the eye...now missing? Kind Regards David