Kaskara from Darfur

CharlesS · 15th January 2011, 05:33 PM

That's probably the most elegant looking kaskara I have ever seen. The LOVE the guard.

Rick's sword is far better to see in person that the pics indicate. Still hoping he will leave it here on his next visit!

katana · 15th January 2011, 07:03 PM

Hi Jim,
thank you for the further details

. Been trying to find more information on the diamond motif...but so far have 'struck out'

.

Hi Rick,
how on earth did I miss the thread you posted ...... I know I've been busy ...but

.

Interesting sword

....again a sword seemingly associated with Ali Dinar .............with a diamond motif on the blade ?

Kind Regards David

.

Jim McDougall · 15th January 2011, 08:13 PM

Im with you David...how the heck did I miss this one!!!!!?????
That is phenomenal Rick, you are one amazing connoisseur (I love trying to spell that word

!!!

Incidentally, David, the source on those diamond pattern motif is the one I noted published by Graham Reed in 1987. Ironically, it seems that our own Ed Hunley preempted Mr. Reeds visit to Kassala by three years! as shown in his outstanding treatise (1984)which appears on our site.

Actually that triangular blade form in a shorter sword version as seen here, in my experience has been attributed to Dongola regions in upper Sudan. As always, the inscription is key of course, and these sumptuous mounts are atypical to the hilts I have usually seen on these blades.

When the Anglo-Egyptian government took over in the Sudan in 1899, and Ali Dinar was recognized as the sultan of Darfur, the dar was very much left to its own affairs, but was expected to pay a nominal annual tribute to that government.

The outstanding quality of this sword and the potentially revealing inscription on the blade may indicate this was some sort of diplomatic gift to the sultan during his reign and associated with relations as noted. The incongruent nature of the mounts do suggest some cross cultural custom work, and the Chadic possibilities are well placed. It should also be noted that the Teda which are a Toubou tribal group in N. Chad (as well as Niger and Nigeria) also were well situated in Libya. As mentioned earlier, considerable Senussi (which Ali Dinar was profoundly an adherent) presence was situated in Libya.

While unclear how these elements might account for this somewhat hybrid sword, they seemed worthy of note.

All best regards,
Jim

PS Charles, that kaskara you had several years ago in Baltimore and I suggested the blade was Italian, do you still have it? I believe that too was a Darfur sword, and while not with inscriptions, I think might be supportive of Italian origins the blades on many of these Darfur swords.

Jim McDougall · 23rd January 2011, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

That's probably the most elegant looking kaskara I have ever seen. The LOVE the guard.

Rick's sword is far better to see in person that the pics indicate. Still hoping he will leave it here on his next visit!

yes it really is attractive.

15th January 2011, 07:03 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Jim, thank you for the further details . Been trying to find more information on the diamond motif...but so far have 'struck out' . Hi Rick, how on earth did I miss the thread you posted ...... I know I've been busy ...but . Interesting sword ....again a sword seemingly associated with Ali Dinar .............with a diamond motif on the blade ? Kind Regards David . Attached Images

15th January 2011, 08:13 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,278	Im with you David...how the heck did I miss this one!!!!!????? That is phenomenal Rick, you are one amazing connoisseur (I love trying to spell that word !!! Incidentally, David, the source on those diamond pattern motif is the one I noted published by Graham Reed in 1987. Ironically, it seems that our own Ed Hunley preempted Mr. Reeds visit to Kassala by three years! as shown in his outstanding treatise (1984)which appears on our site. Actually that triangular blade form in a shorter sword version as seen here, in my experience has been attributed to Dongola regions in upper Sudan. As always, the inscription is key of course, and these sumptuous mounts are atypical to the hilts I have usually seen on these blades. When the Anglo-Egyptian government took over in the Sudan in 1899, and Ali Dinar was recognized as the sultan of Darfur, the dar was very much left to its own affairs, but was expected to pay a nominal annual tribute to that government. The outstanding quality of this sword and the potentially revealing inscription on the blade may indicate this was some sort of diplomatic gift to the sultan during his reign and associated with relations as noted. The incongruent nature of the mounts do suggest some cross cultural custom work, and the Chadic possibilities are well placed. It should also be noted that the Teda which are a Toubou tribal group in N. Chad (as well as Niger and Nigeria) also were well situated in Libya. As mentioned earlier, considerable Senussi (which Ali Dinar was profoundly an adherent) presence was situated in Libya. While unclear how these elements might account for this somewhat hybrid sword, they seemed worthy of note. All best regards, Jim PS Charles, that kaskara you had several years ago in Baltimore and I suggested the blade was Italian, do you still have it? I believe that too was a Darfur sword, and while not with inscriptions, I think might be supportive of Italian origins the blades on many of these Darfur swords. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 15th January 2011 at 08:26 PM.

15th January 2011, 05:33 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	That's probably the most elegant looking kaskara I have ever seen. The LOVE the guard. Rick's sword is far better to see in person that the pics indicate. Still hoping he will leave it here on his next visit!