Sudanese warrior question

[Roland_M]

German Wikipedia says:

The origin of the Kaskaras lies in the dark of history. Because of their cruciform vessels, Kaskara's and European swords resemble each other. In the 19th century, African scientists, such as Samuel Whitebaker, founded this correspondence with the influence of the crusaders. The crusaders were active in Egypt and in 1183 Renaud de Châtillon with his army plundered the coast of the Red Sea down to the Nubian Aidhab. There is no evidence for the use of European swords outside Egypt.

It is more probable that Kaskara is descended from the early Arabian swords. These also had straight blades. The typically curved form only arose in the 15th century. In the middle of the 8th century, during the Islamic expansion, Arab tribes traversed the Sahara and possibly influenced the Sudanese smithy. Another assumption is that the swords were brought by the first Sudanese pilgrims when they were on their way back from Mecca.

From the 15th century onwards, European swords came across the ports of the Mediterranean or the Atlantic to Africa. First, the Portuguese established trading posts in Mauritania. Probably the European blades were only used from the 16th century on to the construction of the Kaskaras. At that time the import of blades from Spain, Italy and Germany increased significantly. In trade and craft centers, such as al-Fashir in Sudan, vessels and vagina were produced. There the blades got their ornaments. Local blades were partly forged with fake European fittings. An exact chronological classification is difficult. The majority of the oldest surviving caskas are from the 19th century; Single specimens have older blades


Roland

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Roland_M

German Wikipedia says:

The origin of the Kaskaras lies in the dark of history. Because of their cruciform vessels, Kaskara's and European swords resemble each other. In the 19th century, African scientists, such as Samuel Whitebaker, founded this correspondence with the influence of the crusaders. The crusaders were active in Egypt and in 1183 Renaud de Châtillon with his army plundered the coast of the Red Sea down to the Nubian Aidhab. There is no evidence for the use of European swords outside Egypt.

It is more probable that Kaskara is descended from the early Arabian swords. These also had straight blades. The typically curved form only arose in the 15th century. In the middle of the 8th century, during the Islamic expansion, Arab tribes traversed the Sahara and possibly influenced the Sudanese smithy. Another assumption is that the swords were brought by the first Sudanese pilgrims when they were on their way back from Mecca.

From the 15th century onwards, European swords came across the ports of the Mediterranean or the Atlantic to Africa. First, the Portuguese established trading posts in Mauritania. Probably the European blades were only used from the 16th century on to the construction of the Kaskaras. At that time the import of blades from Spain, Italy and Germany increased significantly. In trade and craft centers, such as al-Fashir in Sudan, vessels and vagina were produced. There the blades got their ornaments. Local blades were partly forged with fake European fittings. An exact chronological classification is difficult. The majority of the oldest surviving caskas are from the 19th century; Single specimens have older blades


Roland

Not a bad write up for Wikipedia but I think looking towards early pilgrims etc. does little for the kaskara form in particular. Certainly swords were a known weapon in these regions far before Islam but the specific cross guard of the kaskara is I think really the defining feature.

I have always hoped that at some point something of a hybrid piece would turn up showing a multi sided grip and pommel cap more in the Mamluk style, rather than the largely mid to late 19th century examples we are all used to.