African ethno sabre for coments

katana · 13th August 2008, 08:38 PM

Hi Fernando,
interesting sword. The zoomorphic pommel looks, to me, more reptilian. The lizard, in African mythology, especially in the West, is associated with death. According to the myth 'God' sent a chameleon with the message of eternal life for all, however a faster agile lizard was sent with the message of death. The Chameleon was delayed and the lizard arrived first, delivered the message and the matter settled, dooming mankind with death.

Perhaps, the symbolism of the 'messenger of death' is more apt for a sword ?

The 'eye socket' of the head looks as if there was something mounted there...to represent the eye...now missing?

Kind Regards David

13th August 2008, 08:38 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Fernando, interesting sword. The zoomorphic pommel looks, to me, more reptilian. The lizard, in African mythology, especially in the West, is associated with death. According to the myth 'God' sent a chameleon with the message of eternal life for all, however a faster agile lizard was sent with the message of death. The Chameleon was delayed and the lizard arrived first, delivered the message and the matter settled, dooming mankind with death. Perhaps, the symbolism of the 'messenger of death' is more apt for a sword ? The 'eye socket' of the head looks as if there was something mounted there...to represent the eye...now missing? Kind Regards David