The mysterious Mandinka saber

[Jim McDougall]

Yuri, you are amazing!!! Thank you so much.
You're right, how can we know what these sabers are called when it is not even clear what these tribes were called!
It was the Manding empire? kingdom? in medieval times. but then became the Mandinka tribes, which seem to be referred to as Mandang OR Mandingo?
Then the area became Mali or the Mali Empire, but the Manding/Mandingo/ Malinki? tribes became dissipated through much of West Africa.

With that, of course we go to the languages/dialects of the various tribes such as Fulani/Fula/Fulbe which were situated in many of same areas as the Malinka/Manding/Mandingo etc. and others.

Magnificent excerpts on these details which give great insight into these people and the production of these swords. Pretty sure the one I have has a locally made blade, while there are considerable numbers of older examples with mostly French military blades of course.

All best regards,
Jim