Sudanese Command Batons

[Jim McDougall]

Thanks very much TRL!
The baton term seems often misconstrued giving us this notion of these kinds of objects made in the form (loosely) of certain weapons signifying command recognition. As we have seen, these variations produced in Sudanese context during the Mahdiyya appear to be intended for religious leaders who were perhaps present in tandem with the emirs who did indeed command certain units of forces. While I think the units primarily relied on flags for identification and assigned to their commanders, while these kinds of weapon/standard were possibly carried by these religious leaders within the units. I have an 'alam' , a huge spade shaped spear head with thuluth used as a standard probably in similar fashion.

The thuluth calligraphy carried profound invocations and messages, just as on various forms of weapons such as kaskara, axes and throwing knives. The two bladed configuration represents of course the dual blades of Dhu'l Faqar and its religious and talismanic magic potency. In other forms of the ceremonial mace we have seen here, some have two knives attached, which in effect carries the same implication. It would seem these were produced in shops in Omdurman, possibly as early as 1881, which date has been found on thuluth covered blades on kaskara.

[thinreadline]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Thanks very much TRL!
The baton term seems often misconstrued giving us this notion of these kinds of objects made in the form (loosely) of certain weapons signifying command recognition. As we have seen, these variations produced in Sudanese context during the Mahdiyya appear to be intended for religious leaders who were perhaps present in tandem with the emirs who did indeed command certain units of forces. While I think the units primarily relied on flags for identification and assigned to their commanders, while these kinds of weapon/standard were possibly carried by these religious leaders within the units. I have an 'alam' , a huge spade shaped spear head with thuluth used as a standard probably in similar fashion.

The thuluth calligraphy carried profound invocations and messages, just as on various forms of weapons such as kaskara, axes and throwing knives. The two bladed configuration represents of course the dual blades of Dhu'l Faqar and its religious and talismanic magic potency. In other forms of the ceremonial mace we have seen here, some have two knives attached, which in effect carries the same implication. It would seem these were produced in shops in Omdurman, possibly as early as 1881, which date has been found on thuluth covered blades on kaskara.

Most interesting Jim, thank you.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Here is a Spheroidal Muslim Ewer for sprinkling Perfume...from the Rasulid Dynasty. The Rasulids were a Sunni Muslim dynasty that ruled Yemen from 1229 to 1454. Picture from the V and A Museum book~ Islamic Insignia and Western Heraldry page (about) 17.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

A further supporting clue is below on https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped..._in_Tehran.jpg showing an Iranian Darvish in Tehran...I have seen the other end of these staff and they are roughly sharpened .

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you for adding these images Ibrahiim, these shapes really are compelling suggestion of these items on the base of these staffs representing or even perhaps having been these kinds of vials. I am not sure of the processes or ceremony of ablutions or how such rituals would be carried out on the field of battle, but as it was a Jihad, certainly such Holy Men would have been present.
I think the similar examples shown here in the thread have shown these were some sort of scepter used by priests, and while these may not have been the actual S/C items in all cases, they may well have been intended to represent them.

[Kubur]

This little Sudanese maces are amazing.
As Teodor said they are most likely to be associated to Dervish and sufi rituals.
There is no doubt that they are original items and they are rare but not unique.
I think one is for sale in the swap forum...

[ariel]

Kubur,

You " think"????


What gave you the idea? :-)))))

[gp]

Originally Posted by Kubur

This little Sudanese maces are amazing.
As Teodor said they are most likely to be associated to Dervish and sufi rituals.
There is no doubt that they are original items and they are rare but not unique.
I think one is for sale in the swap forum...

please advise which rituals as I never came across them in the sufi Zikrs ?
Are there any references , books about these ?