Two Beja Daggers on Ebay

asomotif · 6th October 2008, 10:37 PM

Fuzzy wuzzy indeed

Lew · 9th October 2008, 09:12 PM

The daggers arrived today and they are quite nice. I cleaned off the all the active rust and cleaned the silver.

Jim McDougall · 11th October 2008, 07:48 AM

Very nice examples Lew!!! and its great to see groupings like this that show the variations in these weapon forms.

A number of years ago I was discussing these interesting 'X' hilt daggers with a friend who was of the Beja, and from Eritrea. He noted that the Eritrean and Hadendoa forms typically had the curved blade, but emphatically insisted that the 'hooked' blade examples belonged to the Afar, from the Danakil region in Ethiopia. Naturally this may be simply his opinion, but he seemed extremely aware of the weaponry in these regions, and actually loaned me a video of Eritrean dance ceremonies. In these, the dancers were using various weapons, most memorable to me being the kaskara, and of course all the dialogue, singing and chanting was in the local language.

I recall being in my den while viewing this, and actually pretty much 'getting into' the music and dancing (though I did restrain myself from actually dragging out one of my kaskaras, recalling the deadly tulwar incident!).
My wife finally had to beg an end to my ceremony

but it was really fascinating to watch!!

Just thought this might be of interest.

BTW, has anyone else ever thought about how much these hilts look like ancient Celtic anthromorphic hilts?

All the best,
Jim

Gavin Nugent · 11th October 2008, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

BTW, has anyone else ever thought about how much these hilts look like ancient Celtic anthromorphic hilts?

All the best,
Jim

Good point Jim,

I beleive over all there is something specific historically with Celtic influences in Northern African weaponry. One can also look at the Flyssa, put two back to back and you have the same shape as the Celtic swords.
here are just a couple of links for comparison.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_sword
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=62

Gav

Lew · 12th October 2008, 02:20 AM

Here is an interesting Celtic sword hilt (MODERN) for comparison.

Lew

Battara · 12th October 2008, 03:39 AM

Yes very nice puppies, Lew. I sold one off several years ago, but might go for one like the silvered one you have. Very nice.

Jim, thank you for the info - very helpful.

I wonder - if it has silver, did it belong to a chieftain?

Lew · 12th October 2008, 05:48 PM

Battara

Maybe not a chieftain but probably someone higher up on the social ladder.

Lew

6th October 2008, 10:37 PM	#1
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,228	Fuzzy wuzzy indeed Attached Images

9th October 2008, 09:12 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	The daggers arrived today and they are quite nice. I cleaned off the all the active rust and cleaned the silver. Attached Images

12th October 2008, 02:20 AM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Here is an interesting Celtic sword hilt (MODERN) for comparison. Lew Attached Images

11th October 2008, 07:48 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Very nice examples Lew!!! and its great to see groupings like this that show the variations in these weapon forms. A number of years ago I was discussing these interesting 'X' hilt daggers with a friend who was of the Beja, and from Eritrea. He noted that the Eritrean and Hadendoa forms typically had the curved blade, but emphatically insisted that the 'hooked' blade examples belonged to the Afar, from the Danakil region in Ethiopia. Naturally this may be simply his opinion, but he seemed extremely aware of the weaponry in these regions, and actually loaned me a video of Eritrean dance ceremonies. In these, the dancers were using various weapons, most memorable to me being the kaskara, and of course all the dialogue, singing and chanting was in the local language. I recall being in my den while viewing this, and actually pretty much 'getting into' the music and dancing (though I did restrain myself from actually dragging out one of my kaskaras, recalling the deadly tulwar incident!). My wife finally had to beg an end to my ceremony but it was really fascinating to watch!! Just thought this might be of interest. BTW, has anyone else ever thought about how much these hilts look like ancient Celtic anthromorphic hilts? All the best, Jim

12th October 2008, 03:39 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Yes very nice puppies, Lew. I sold one off several years ago, but might go for one like the silvered one you have. Very nice. Jim, thank you for the info - very helpful. I wonder - if it has silver, did it belong to a chieftain?

12th October 2008, 05:48 PM	#7
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Battara Maybe not a chieftain but probably someone higher up on the social ladder. Lew