22nd August 2011, 10:53 PM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Czech Republic
Posts: 841
|
So called Afar dagers/knives
But are the really Afar ? Both the sword and daggers are comming from, or better said were bought in Ethiopia. Their assignation is comming from local trades and is not
|
22nd August 2011, 11:10 PM | #2 |
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Czech Republic
Posts: 841
|
....and I think is not verified: Any opinion is warm welcome.
No 1 is so called "jelly". It is big sword, the length is 95 cms, the blade is nice, heavy. Handle is made of nice hard wood. No 2 (bought in Abuja) and 3 (bought in Djibouti, 63 cms long) are very slender, the pommel is made of wood (in one piece with handle) - not of brass. I was told they were Issa or Darod (i.e. Somali sub-clans). No 4 and 5 - both comming from Fentale Hot Springs (within Awash National Parc) - they should be Kereyu (i. e. Oromo sub-clan). No 6 - allegedly real Afar (finaly...) No 7 - allegedly again real (chief) Afar ? No 8 - this is very nice and must be very effective and dangerous weapon, it is hefty, with the blade thick and (up to) 7 cms broad. But again - is it Afar - I was told Oromo... Regards, Martin |
22nd August 2011, 11:14 PM | #3 |
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Czech Republic
Posts: 841
|
Another photos
|
22nd August 2011, 11:22 PM | #4 |
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Czech Republic
Posts: 841
|
The length of No 3 is 71 (not 63) cms
|
22nd August 2011, 11:32 PM | #5 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 2,224
|
Hello Martin,
Sorry, can't help you out on the tribe(s). But what a nice collection. No. 8 is great. Is the hilt rhino ? Best regards, Willem |
23rd August 2011, 12:36 AM | #6 | |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,712
|
Excelent collection Martin! only ever had 2 of these in last 15 years....
Quote:
O yes 100% for sure even from photo.... Rhino all the way. Spiral |
|
23rd August 2011, 09:18 AM | #7 |
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Czech Republic
Posts: 841
|
Thank you. I am afraid it is Rhino - they used to equip this kind of big daggers or better heavy short sabres with such hilts...But I think these still are not representing all versions of knives and cold weapons from Ogaden, Danakil Depression and bordering areas. Was this typology subject of some discourse/book ?
|
23rd August 2011, 11:36 AM | #8 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,430
|
I've read about some of these type of knives being collected by Wilfred Thesiger, described as being Afar (Danakil). But as is often the case in Africa the form probably spreads to neighbouring areas/tribes.
|
23rd August 2011, 12:12 PM | #9 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 5,503
|
Obviously, there are multiple variations, but do they represent stable ethnic/geographic patterns or just random results of manufacturer's techniques and buyer's wishes? If the former, - typological study is in order, if the latter, - they are just one happy chaotic family.
|
23rd August 2011, 02:42 PM | #10 |
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Czech Republic
Posts: 841
|
I inclined to believe there was both tribal (sub-tribal) and even holderīs position classification of this weapons
|
23rd August 2011, 07:12 PM | #11 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
Posts: 2,928
|
Don't think I've ever seen so many good examples together Martin. That must have taken some effort to acomplish, well done.
Best Gene |
23rd August 2011, 09:11 PM | #12 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,290
|
Indeed, Number 7 awakens lust and envy in my heart .
|
29th August 2011, 07:54 PM | #13 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,806
|
The blanket is very nice.
|
29th August 2011, 08:26 PM | #14 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium)
Posts: 830
|
Here's a warrior with a similar dagger/sword.
|
|
|