Guduf sword

Tim Simmons · 15th August 2011, 06:06 PM

Is it steel or iron? thats a hard one. Well it is steel and well tempered allowing the blade to flex. The edges "top half" have been worked to a higher carbon content and display a brittleness as can be seen by the chips. I am not an expert but I suspect under the simple appearance there is considerable skill.

Iain · 15th August 2011, 06:22 PM

Right, I was asking because mine is fairly inflexible and I think has a relatively low carbon content - I'm not going to push it to find out! I've had a few other iron blades form the area as well.

I've looked on mine for any signs of differential edge hardening, but can't see any, perhaps the blades are work hardened on the edge.

Agree completely on the considerable skill involved.

Tim Simmons · 15th August 2011, 07:24 PM

Found this site. Great pictures, reminds me of Great Zimbabwe without the 19th early 20th century eththnographic ego colonial muddle? Click on the green arrows to navigate.

http://www.mandaras.info/StrongholdsNCameroon/fv40.htm

Luc LEFEBVRE · 18th August 2011, 10:14 PM

I had this one in my collection a few time ago.

Martin Lubojacky · 21st August 2011, 09:22 PM

Hi Tim,
There is big and interesting collection of African weapons in "Náprstkovo muzeum" in Prague, nevertheless and unforunately - this collection is in deposits. But you can see, I think, Pacific collection and others there now. There is also a very small museum (I have not visited it yet) in Holice village, birthplace of Emil Holub (but majority of his collections is in museum in Vienna - as well as of other Austro-Hungarian travellers of Czech origin). I am not 100 % sure, but I think National Museum is closed because of reconstruction, now. Maybe you could visit "Pelého villa", but they only have masks and statues. I would visit also "Vojenské muzeum" (Army Museum). Nearly each castle or chateau has its collection of weapons, but mostly Austro Hungarian (but I saw also some Ethiopian ant others). And do not forget a few pubs in Prague (I would suggest "U zubatýho psa").

Hi Iain,
I do not want to discuss with old authorities, but, just for piquancy or for fun: You can find this kind of sword more easily on Cameroonian side (than in Nigeria), especially in Maroua market. I discussed it with one fellow - "antique dealer" from Borno State selling in Abuja market. He was of the opinion (I just repeat what he said) that it is possible to find this sword in Guoza Local Government Area where Guduf allegedly lives (I did not verify it on internet), nevertheles he was of the opinion this was mostly Matakam sword.
Regards,
Martin

Iain · 24th August 2011, 11:27 AM

thanks for posting your example Luc, seems like a much better decorated example, I don't imagine the iron spike would have a practical function?

Martin,

Thanks for the good info on museums, few things I didn't know, I was in Prague a few weeks ago and the main building of the national museum was still closed.

About the sword, interesting that the antique seller thought it was more Matakam (Mafa). I guess there is a lot of cross over influence between groups in these small areas. The attribution from Wente-Lukas sounds like it was correct, but perhaps too limited and the type sees wider use in Mandara. I agree about not seeing this on the Nigeria side very much, I don't think the Guduf or the Matakam have much range on the Nigeria side of the border.

Cheers,

Iain

18th August 2011, 10:14 PM	#4
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	I had this one in my collection a few time ago. Attached Images

15th August 2011, 06:06 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Is it steel or iron? thats a hard one. Well it is steel and well tempered allowing the blade to flex. The edges "top half" have been worked to a higher carbon content and display a brittleness as can be seen by the chips. I am not an expert but I suspect under the simple appearance there is considerable skill.

15th August 2011, 06:22 PM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	Right, I was asking because mine is fairly inflexible and I think has a relatively low carbon content - I'm not going to push it to find out! I've had a few other iron blades form the area as well. I've looked on mine for any signs of differential edge hardening, but can't see any, perhaps the blades are work hardened on the edge. Agree completely on the considerable skill involved.

15th August 2011, 07:24 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Found this site. Great pictures, reminds me of Great Zimbabwe without the 19th early 20th century eththnographic ego colonial muddle? Click on the green arrows to navigate. http://www.mandaras.info/StrongholdsNCameroon/fv40.htm

21st August 2011, 09:22 PM	#5
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Hi Tim, There is big and interesting collection of African weapons in "Náprstkovo muzeum" in Prague, nevertheless and unforunately - this collection is in deposits. But you can see, I think, Pacific collection and others there now. There is also a very small museum (I have not visited it yet) in Holice village, birthplace of Emil Holub (but majority of his collections is in museum in Vienna - as well as of other Austro-Hungarian travellers of Czech origin). I am not 100 % sure, but I think National Museum is closed because of reconstruction, now. Maybe you could visit "Pelého villa", but they only have masks and statues. I would visit also "Vojenské muzeum" (Army Museum). Nearly each castle or chateau has its collection of weapons, but mostly Austro Hungarian (but I saw also some Ethiopian ant others). And do not forget a few pubs in Prague (I would suggest "U zubatýho psa"). Hi Iain, I do not want to discuss with old authorities, but, just for piquancy or for fun: You can find this kind of sword more easily on Cameroonian side (than in Nigeria), especially in Maroua market. I discussed it with one fellow - "antique dealer" from Borno State selling in Abuja market. He was of the opinion (I just repeat what he said) that it is possible to find this sword in Guoza Local Government Area where Guduf allegedly lives (I did not verify it on internet), nevertheles he was of the opinion this was mostly Matakam sword. Regards, Martin

24th August 2011, 11:27 AM	#6
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	thanks for posting your example Luc, seems like a much better decorated example, I don't imagine the iron spike would have a practical function? Martin, Thanks for the good info on museums, few things I didn't know, I was in Prague a few weeks ago and the main building of the national museum was still closed. About the sword, interesting that the antique seller thought it was more Matakam (Mafa). I guess there is a lot of cross over influence between groups in these small areas. The attribution from Wente-Lukas sounds like it was correct, but perhaps too limited and the type sees wider use in Mandara. I agree about not seeing this on the Nigeria side very much, I don't think the Guduf or the Matakam have much range on the Nigeria side of the border. Cheers, Iain