Interesting African swords

Jim McDougall · 6th February 2006, 06:23 AM

I am inclined to agree with attribution of this dagger and sword to northern Nigerian regions, especially in the case of the takouba. The brasswork also tends to reflect that of regions to the west, particularly Benin, while the motif resembles stylized Tuareg influence. The dagger illustrates the degree of diffusion of Tuareg influence into these regions, and vice versa as seen in Fischer & Zirngibl ("African Weapons" p.23) with a Tuareg arm dagger having similar semi-elliptical pommel as seen on this example. In "Weapons and Implements of Savage Races" (Montague, 1921, p.187) a knife with pommel similar is shown as Beri Beri tribe of N.Nigeria.
The sector of Africa which includes Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, all include the Tuareg sphere and are in proximity to the northern borders on Benin.
Although the work on these weapons does not appear consistant with typical Tuareg work, it does appear they carry such influence.
Best regards,
Jim

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6th February 2006, 06:23 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	I am inclined to agree with attribution of this dagger and sword to northern Nigerian regions, especially in the case of the takouba. The brasswork also tends to reflect that of regions to the west, particularly Benin, while the motif resembles stylized Tuareg influence. The dagger illustrates the degree of diffusion of Tuareg influence into these regions, and vice versa as seen in Fischer & Zirngibl ("African Weapons" p.23) with a Tuareg arm dagger having similar semi-elliptical pommel as seen on this example. In "Weapons and Implements of Savage Races" (Montague, 1921, p.187) a knife with pommel similar is shown as Beri Beri tribe of N.Nigeria. The sector of Africa which includes Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, all include the Tuareg sphere and are in proximity to the northern borders on Benin. Although the work on these weapons does not appear consistant with typical Tuareg work, it does appear they carry such influence. Best regards, Jim