Two New African Daggers For Comment

Lew · 12th January 2006, 07:20 PM

These just arrived today. The first is copper bladed bushong dagger ant the other is a real nice Sudanese dagger that I picked up from Charles.

Thanks for looking.

Lew

Tim Simmons · 12th January 2006, 08:12 PM

How very nice to have a non-ferrous bushong knife, I am very keen on these non-ferrous weapons. Look how fine the zinc inlay on thes can be. Tim

Radu Transylvanicus · 12th January 2006, 08:14 PM

This short sword is known as ikul in use by the Kuba tribes of Congo basin, yet still a Bushoong of course. Bushoong is simply a name of the Kuba ruling aristocratic clans. These ikul are good examples of African metalurgical craft and luckily enough not rare either. These people have fine examples of arms, including bwaantashry regalia ones (royal sword and spear). A version of their large panoply similar somehow to ikul but slimer, longer and pointed is named ilwoon and it was designed with combat in mind.

A great account of these swords and knifes are being given by the Hungarian explorer Emil Torday (1876-1931) whom traveled together with the adventurous Transylvanian count Samuel Teleki***, deep into the Belgian Congo and further, into a famous expedition from 1906 to 1909, backed by the British Museum. He brings back over 3000 items, half of them from the Kuba people, containing a cornucopia of weaponry. Many of them were purchased as well by the Museum of Philadelphia, USA. He even documents the technology and craftsmanship of the local smiths.

*** Yes, Transylvanian counts were not only famous for their bloofd thirst, but also did travel as far as darkest of Africa ...

On his first journey to Africa, late 1880s, Count Teleki, also discoveres, explores and names lake Rudolf and lake Turkana and climbed for the first time on glaciated Mount Kibo (18000 ft), by himself.

Further research and bibliography I recommend:

AFRICAN ARMS AND ARMOR by Christopher Spring, published by The Smithsonian and British Museum, plate 18 & 21, pages 84-92
SWORD AND HILT WEAPONS , 1993, Barnes & Noble NY and Imperial Works, London - the chapter “African hilt weapons” by Christopher Spring pages 213-215
ON THE TRAIL OF THE BUSHONGO, by Emil Torday Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1925, all book is enlightning.

Flavio · 12th January 2006, 11:46 PM

Hello Lew, very nice daggers especially the kuba ikula because the top of the handle is quite similar to the one of the ilwoon that, as Radu Transylvanicus says, is the war sword of te kuba and this kind of handle is quite rare. Attached a picture of a "normal" ikula handle and the handle of a ilwoon.

12th January 2006, 07:20 PM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Two New African Daggers For Comment These just arrived today. The first is copper bladed bushong dagger ant the other is a real nice Sudanese dagger that I picked up from Charles. Thanks for looking. Lew Attached Images

12th January 2006, 08:14 PM	#3
Radu Transylvanicus Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 2008-2010 Bali, 1998-2008 USA Posts: 271	This short sword is known as ikul in use by the Kuba tribes of Congo basin, yet still a Bushoong of course. Bushoong is simply a name of the Kuba ruling aristocratic clans. These ikul are good examples of African metalurgical craft and luckily enough not rare either. These people have fine examples of arms, including bwaantashry regalia ones (royal sword and spear). A version of their large panoply similar somehow to ikul but slimer, longer and pointed is named ilwoon and it was designed with combat in mind. A great account of these swords and knifes are being given by the Hungarian explorer Emil Torday (1876-1931) whom traveled together with the adventurous Transylvanian count Samuel Teleki*, deep into the Belgian Congo and further, into a famous expedition from 1906 to 1909, backed by the British Museum. He brings back over 3000 items, half of them from the Kuba people, containing a cornucopia of weaponry. Many of them were purchased as well by the Museum of Philadelphia, USA. He even documents the technology and craftsmanship of the local smiths. * Yes, Transylvanian counts were not only famous for their bloofd thirst, but also did travel as far as darkest of Africa ... On his first journey to Africa, late 1880s, Count Teleki, also discoveres, explores and names lake Rudolf and lake Turkana and climbed for the first time on glaciated Mount Kibo (18000 ft), by himself. Further research and bibliography I recommend: AFRICAN ARMS AND ARMOR by Christopher Spring, published by The Smithsonian and British Museum, plate 18 & 21, pages 84-92 SWORD AND HILT WEAPONS , 1993, Barnes & Noble NY and Imperial Works, London - the chapter “African hilt weapons” by Christopher Spring pages 213-215 ON THE TRAIL OF THE BUSHONGO, by Emil Torday Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1925, all book is enlightning. Last edited by Radu Transylvanicus; 13th January 2006 at 07:23 AM.

12th January 2006, 11:46 PM	#4
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hello Lew, very nice daggers especially the kuba ikula because the top of the handle is quite similar to the one of the ilwoon that, as Radu Transylvanicus says, is the war sword of te kuba and this kind of handle is quite rare. Attached a picture of a "normal" ikula handle and the handle of a ilwoon. Attached Images

12th January 2006, 08:12 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	How very nice to have a non-ferrous bushong knife, I am very keen on these non-ferrous weapons. Look how fine the zinc inlay on thes can be. Tim