Origins of the Mandinka saber

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by Iain

Hi Jim,

I think the major problem with this idea is that we don't have any signs of extensive contact with Omani traders to justify this idea.

Given the strong historical connections of the kaskara to Mamluk Egypt it would be interesting to compare medieval Mamluk straight sword scabbards, but sadly none survive I am aware of.

It's exactly what I think, thanks Iain. These swords have a common ancestor, maybe Mamluk, maybe older... And yes we don't have the scabbards...

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Kubur

It's exactly what I think, thanks Iain. These swords have a common ancestor, maybe Mamluk, maybe older... And yes we don't have the scabbards...

This isn't to say that there can't be an Omani connection, but, I think there isn't a preponderance of evidence to suggest this is the case beyond a superficial visual similarity.

However, that's not a bad starting point and is much the same as where I started years ago with takouba. The trick is then to support that with as much evidence as possible to show how the visual similarities could have come about. At the moment I would be the first to say there is a visual similarity, but I remain unconvinced as to why.

The Mamluk comment was made only in regard to kaskara, where there is a demonstrable link.