Riffian Edged Weapons

MikeB · 7th March 2006, 05:16 PM

Greetings
I am a new boy, seeking help. I'm researching an article on the Riffian resistance to the Spanish and French in Morocco c1900-1950. I have plenty of information on the Colonialists, but less on the Riffians. Searching this forum I've found threads on some Moroccan daggers, which have been most useful. What I am after is advice on what the Riffian weapons would have been and would have looked like, please.

All help will be acknowledged in the article, and this DG will get a plug too.

Many thanks

Mike Blake

Rick · 7th March 2006, 09:13 PM

Hi Mike ,
This is a Moroccan dagger called a shula . I would like to hear confirmation from another of our members before stating that this is definitely Berber though.

Also pictured is a Berber sword with an unusual tip configuration .

More information and photos can be found in : ISLAMIC WEAPONS Maghrib to Moghul by Anthony C, Tirri isbn # 0-9747192-7-7

MikeB · 8th March 2006, 11:39 AM

Hi Rick
That was quick! Many thanks - shula is a new one to me. It certainly fits the descriptions of the Riffis fighting with 'straight daggers'. Could you explain whey you mean about the other having an unusual tip, please?
Thanks
Mike

Rick · 8th March 2006, 02:51 PM

The majority of Berber swords that I have seen have a tip that resembles somewhat the bow of a ship . Perhaps a search of the forum will reveal one or perhaps a Google image search will turn one up . I know that they are pictured in Tirri's book .

Good luck in your search .

Rick

Ahhh , found one !

http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=91

I would strongly suggest that you peruse the sold items gallery here to see a plethora of moroccan weapons .

http://www.oriental-arms.com

MikeB · 8th March 2006, 04:24 PM

Rick
Thanks for the explanation. I have been scouring the archive and found lots of fascinating stuff. I'm planning a trip to the Royal Armouries in Leeds next week to see what they have.
Regards
Mike

ham · 8th March 2006, 06:20 PM

That particular tip is referred to as "barbed."

Mike, have you run across much on Al-Raisuli? Interesting character who fits into your period nicely.

Ham

MikeB · 8th March 2006, 07:00 PM

Ham
Many thanks.

At the risk of going OT - Indeed, he's a bit of a character alright, in many ways a shame he came to such a sad end, though I don't suppose the people he kidnapped would think so fondly of him. The Spanish paid him a large 'pension' to keep him out of their hair for a while. To be honest though I find Abd ek Krim more interesting. He comes across as less of a rogue but more of a charismatic leader, more in the mold of Abd el Kadr 100 years before in Algeria against the French [another of my interests]

7th March 2006, 05:16 PM	#1
MikeB Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deepest Derbyshire Posts: 5	Riffian Edged Weapons Greetings I am a new boy, seeking help. I'm researching an article on the Riffian resistance to the Spanish and French in Morocco c1900-1950. I have plenty of information on the Colonialists, but less on the Riffians. Searching this forum I've found threads on some Moroccan daggers, which have been most useful. What I am after is advice on what the Riffian weapons would have been and would have looked like, please. All help will be acknowledged in the article, and this DG will get a plug too. Many thanks Mike Blake

7th March 2006, 09:13 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,291	Hi Mike , This is a Moroccan dagger called a shula . I would like to hear confirmation from another of our members before stating that this is definitely Berber though. Also pictured is a Berber sword with an unusual tip configuration . More information and photos can be found in : ISLAMIC WEAPONS Maghrib to Moghul by Anthony C, Tirri isbn # 0-9747192-7-7 Attached Images

8th March 2006, 02:51 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,291	The majority of Berber swords that I have seen have a tip that resembles somewhat the bow of a ship . Perhaps a search of the forum will reveal one or perhaps a Google image search will turn one up . I know that they are pictured in Tirri's book . Good luck in your search . Rick Ahhh , found one ! http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=91 I would strongly suggest that you peruse the sold items gallery here to see a plethora of moroccan weapons . http://www.oriental-arms.com Last edited by Rick; 8th March 2006 at 03:09 PM.

8th March 2006, 11:39 AM	#3
MikeB Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deepest Derbyshire Posts: 5	Hi Rick That was quick! Many thanks - shula is a new one to me. It certainly fits the descriptions of the Riffis fighting with 'straight daggers'. Could you explain whey you mean about the other having an unusual tip, please? Thanks Mike

8th March 2006, 04:24 PM	#5
MikeB Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deepest Derbyshire Posts: 5	Rick Thanks for the explanation. I have been scouring the archive and found lots of fascinating stuff. I'm planning a trip to the Royal Armouries in Leeds next week to see what they have. Regards Mike

8th March 2006, 06:20 PM	#6
ham Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 190	That particular tip is referred to as "barbed." Mike, have you run across much on Al-Raisuli? Interesting character who fits into your period nicely. Ham

8th March 2006, 07:00 PM	#7
MikeB Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deepest Derbyshire Posts: 5	Ham Many thanks. At the risk of going OT - Indeed, he's a bit of a character alright, in many ways a shame he came to such a sad end, though I don't suppose the people he kidnapped would think so fondly of him. The Spanish paid him a large 'pension' to keep him out of their hair for a while. To be honest though I find Abd ek Krim more interesting. He comes across as less of a rogue but more of a charismatic leader, more in the mold of Abd el Kadr 100 years before in Algeria against the French [another of my interests]