Two takoubas - photos of the blade from Ghat

Jim McDougall · 3rd November 2012, 11:36 PM

Thanks Iain, good points on the import of razors, and often the trademarks and devices on these sundry items definitely had an impact on native consumers. As we have often discussed, many of the European markings gained certain talismanic or imbued power via quality assurance in native interpretation. For example the curious 'fly' symbols; the cross and orb becoming the drum; and of course the crescent moons.

I have often wondered, the sphinx must have been a marvel which certainly was known via oral tradition and tales carried far into many tribal regions on trade routes. It is well established that ancient Egyptian elements are present in most of these cultures in varying degree , and the lion is of totemic and royal significance. The Hadendoa name is derived partly from the word for lion as I recall from notes. Perhaps the couchant lion as seen on these items may have inspired the interpretation using the symbol in that regard. I dont actually know of actual examples of blades produced by this firm found on swords, which might have inspired copies like the running wolf, cross and orb and others.

To be clear, not suggesting the use of this symbol for Hadendoa, as this seems clearly Saharan, but the analogy for possible use of the image seemed pertinant.

3rd November 2012, 11:36 PM	#9
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Thanks Iain, good points on the import of razors, and often the trademarks and devices on these sundry items definitely had an impact on native consumers. As we have often discussed, many of the European markings gained certain talismanic or imbued power via quality assurance in native interpretation. For example the curious 'fly' symbols; the cross and orb becoming the drum; and of course the crescent moons. I have often wondered, the sphinx must have been a marvel which certainly was known via oral tradition and tales carried far into many tribal regions on trade routes. It is well established that ancient Egyptian elements are present in most of these cultures in varying degree , and the lion is of totemic and royal significance. The Hadendoa name is derived partly from the word for lion as I recall from notes. Perhaps the couchant lion as seen on these items may have inspired the interpretation using the symbol in that regard. I dont actually know of actual examples of blades produced by this firm found on swords, which might have inspired copies like the running wolf, cross and orb and others. To be clear, not suggesting the use of this symbol for Hadendoa, as this seems clearly Saharan, but the analogy for possible use of the image seemed pertinant.