Abyssinian shotel for coment

Emanuel · 15th November 2007, 02:53 PM

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the response

. I did not know trade blades were used on shotels, but I was aware of Wilkinson and others producing gurade blades.
Here are some shotel examples from Oriental-Arms and they look a lot like mine with the exception of the hilts.

http://www.oriental-arms.com/search....el&s.x=0&s.y=0

I'm not aware of blades being done differently although I know some have extremely high curvature.

Best regards,
Eamnuel

katana · 15th November 2007, 11:20 PM

Hi Emanuel

,
nice blade, I love the shape of these .... it is a shame about the hilt...but I think with careful re-sculpturing with a 'dremmel' type tool, ( like a small electric drill with various small cutting/shaping 'bits') you could make it quite respectable without removing it from the blade.

Regards David

Jim McDougall · 16th November 2007, 08:43 PM

It seems clear that the blade form seen on Emanuel's example is of what appears to be a native made blade with cross section of earlier highly curved shotel's. I had not been aware of this much less curved form until seeing these, and think it would be interesting to look at examples of the early highly curved ones to compare with.

Could anyone share some of the other Ethiopian swords here; the shotels of high curve, the examples with trade sabre blades and the familiar gurade?
Sort of a review of Ethiopian swords for reference!

All best regards,
Jim

katana · 16th November 2007, 09:00 PM

Hi Jim,
try this thread...

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=ethiopian

Regards David

Jim McDougall · 16th November 2007, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

Hi Jim,
try this thread...

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=ethiopian

Regards David

Hi David,
Thanks very much! That thread was a lot of fun, and there were some interesting illustrations shown. I just wanted to develop this particular thread a little as far as illustrations and comments on variations that is a bit more focused and informational as well as current.
All the best,
Jim

Rod Charters · 17th November 2007, 02:32 PM

I have a similar shaped sword with a similar style brass cap on the pommel. Blade length measure 67 cm, double edged, and wooden hilt. I bought (3) from a fairly reputable dealler in Addis who swore they were coming from Afar and that the Afar were no longer using them. I have never seen any photo's of Afari's wearing such swords (always Gille's) however suppose its possible especially along areas where Afar borders Amhara and Tigray.

Jim McDougall · 17th November 2007, 07:53 PM

Hi Rod,
Thank you the response and excellent information. With your reference to the Afar, it prompted me to recheck Burton ("book of the Sword", p.164-65) where he refers to the 'Dankali' (Danakil, which is also the term for the Afar region of Ethiopia). On the same page in fig.177 he shows a 'smaller Abyssinian blade' shotel with similar shallow recurve and median ridge blade profile as seen on the discussed example.
Interestingly on p.165, Burton shows an illustration on what is clearly a kaskara and is captioned 'Dankali sword'.
The kaskara of course is from the Sudan, however is well known among Eritrean weapons, and Ethiopian in degree, which would include Danakil or Afar regions.
The diffusion of weapons in these regions is well established, and clearly while certain forms are more distinctly seen with certain tribes and regions, a degree of use of the weapons of congruent regions is to be expected. It seems quite reasonable that the Afar would have used shotels with these blades, and in limited degree so that illustrations or direct association would be unlikely. I think your suggestion of possible use of these by Afar tribes near the Ethiopan regions you note is well placed and quite likely.

It seems that shotels with this shallow recurved blade were in existence at the time of Burton's research, well before 1884 so probably as early as mid 19th century, so the period of such blade form is established. With the Afar provenance, those tribes as well as those of northern Ethiopian regions may be considered in those who might have used them, and it would seem the form continued in use well into the 20th century.

I'm still hoping those who have collected Ethiopian weapons will follow the lead and contribute examples of the early sickle form shotel as well as those with trade blades of sabre form (Wilkinson, Solingen) and possibly gurades.

Thank you very much Rod !

All very best regards,
Jim

17th November 2007, 02:32 PM	#6
Rod Charters Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 48	I have a similar shaped sword with a similar style brass cap on the pommel. Blade length measure 67 cm, double edged, and wooden hilt. I bought (3) from a fairly reputable dealler in Addis who swore they were coming from Afar and that the Afar were no longer using them. I have never seen any photo's of Afari's wearing such swords (always Gille's) however suppose its possible especially along areas where Afar borders Amhara and Tigray. Attached Images

15th November 2007, 02:53 PM	#1
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Hi Jim, Thanks for the response . I did not know trade blades were used on shotels, but I was aware of Wilkinson and others producing gurade blades. Here are some shotel examples from Oriental-Arms and they look a lot like mine with the exception of the hilts. http://www.oriental-arms.com/search....el&s.x=0&s.y=0 I'm not aware of blades being done differently although I know some have extremely high curvature. Best regards, Eamnuel

15th November 2007, 11:20 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Emanuel , nice blade, I love the shape of these .... it is a shame about the hilt...but I think with careful re-sculpturing with a 'dremmel' type tool, ( like a small electric drill with various small cutting/shaping 'bits') you could make it quite respectable without removing it from the blade. Regards David

16th November 2007, 08:43 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,282	It seems clear that the blade form seen on Emanuel's example is of what appears to be a native made blade with cross section of earlier highly curved shotel's. I had not been aware of this much less curved form until seeing these, and think it would be interesting to look at examples of the early highly curved ones to compare with. Could anyone share some of the other Ethiopian swords here; the shotels of high curve, the examples with trade sabre blades and the familiar gurade? Sort of a review of Ethiopian swords for reference! All best regards, Jim

16th November 2007, 09:00 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Jim, try this thread... http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=ethiopian Regards David

17th November 2007, 07:53 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,282	Hi Rod, Thank you the response and excellent information. With your reference to the Afar, it prompted me to recheck Burton ("book of the Sword", p.164-65) where he refers to the 'Dankali' (Danakil, which is also the term for the Afar region of Ethiopia). On the same page in fig.177 he shows a 'smaller Abyssinian blade' shotel with similar shallow recurve and median ridge blade profile as seen on the discussed example. Interestingly on p.165, Burton shows an illustration on what is clearly a kaskara and is captioned 'Dankali sword'. The kaskara of course is from the Sudan, however is well known among Eritrean weapons, and Ethiopian in degree, which would include Danakil or Afar regions. The diffusion of weapons in these regions is well established, and clearly while certain forms are more distinctly seen with certain tribes and regions, a degree of use of the weapons of congruent regions is to be expected. It seems quite reasonable that the Afar would have used shotels with these blades, and in limited degree so that illustrations or direct association would be unlikely. I think your suggestion of possible use of these by Afar tribes near the Ethiopan regions you note is well placed and quite likely. It seems that shotels with this shallow recurved blade were in existence at the time of Burton's research, well before 1884 so probably as early as mid 19th century, so the period of such blade form is established. With the Afar provenance, those tribes as well as those of northern Ethiopian regions may be considered in those who might have used them, and it would seem the form continued in use well into the 20th century. I'm still hoping those who have collected Ethiopian weapons will follow the lead and contribute examples of the early sickle form shotel as well as those with trade blades of sabre form (Wilkinson, Solingen) and possibly gurades. Thank you very much Rod ! All very best regards, Jim