unusual african dagger covered in cowrie shells

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by chiefheadknocker

This is an unusual dagger ,I presume African , ive never seen one before like this , though im unsure of its age , the blade looks well made,
whats your opinion?

May I ask how long is this dagger?

[chiefheadknocker]

Originally Posted by Sajen

May I ask how long is this dagger?

Hi there ,the total measurement is 40 cm , blade alone is 24 cm

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Here another cowrie shell decorated scabbard. The details at http://ijhssnet.com/journals/Vol_2_...ber_2012/27.pdf are amazing. See also https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/mag...vh9/index.html for the story of monetary systems in East Africa..

[Peter B.]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Here another cowrie shell decorated scabbard. The details at http://ijhssnet.com/journals/Vol_2_...ber_2012/27.pdf are amazing.

The thread is a bit older, but can someone tell me something about the origin of this knife posted by Ibrahiim?
I have a similar one, sold as coming from Uganda, but I have also seen specimens that have been ascribed to the Yoruba (Nigeria).
Does anyone know the link given here completely?

[Ian]

Peter, posting a picture of your knife would be helpful. Ian

[Peter B.]

Originally Posted by Ian

Peter, posting a picture of your knife would be helpful. Ian

Hello Ian, here is a picture of my knife. It looks almost the same.
I have already seen several of these knives, always with a blade made of flat steel and without a cutting edge.
To me it looks like tourist copies from the same workshop or at least from a very limited area.
But I have no idea where exactly. The cowrie shells at least indicate that it is close to the sea, but I don't know how far they are traded inland.

[Peter B.]

On closer inspection you can see that the handle of Ibrahiim's copy is carved in more detail than mine. Perhaps an original historical blade is hidden in the scabbard.

I hope that Ibrahiim will read along, maybe he can hand in a photo of his blade.
(And correct the broken link from ijhssnet.com)

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by chiefheadknocker

Hi there ,the total measurement is 40 cm , blade alone is 24 cm

In this case Kubur is correct, it's a short flyssa knife!

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Here you can see similar ones: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=flyssa+cowrie & http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11836

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Here you can see similar ones: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=flyssa+cowrie

as always


But I realy don't know if the cowries were added for local use and local taste or for touristic taste and market...

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Kubur

as always