Sahel weapons

Tim Simmons · 19th November 2006, 08:23 PM

Why are they rarely included in books of Islamic arms?

Emanuel · 20th November 2006, 12:17 AM

Hi Tim,

Well, most of them have features and characteristics that pre-date the Islamic expansion no? So many weapons would not be strictly speaking Islamic Arms. Only ones I know are the Tuareg, Hausa, etc variety, can one call these peoples fully Islamic?

And then I guess they're included in books on African arms...Spring's African Arms and Armour comes to mind.

Regards,
Emanuel

Emanuel · 20th November 2006, 12:18 AM

Just thought of something...perhaps these publications/authors wish to emphasize the "eastern" influences/qualities of Islamic arms as opposed to purely African and possibly European.

Jim McDougall · 21st November 2006, 03:26 AM

It seems to me that the use of 'Islamic Arms' as a title has brought forth quite a lot of dispute, much of it questioning whether that particular distinction accurately describes a range of weapons. From what I have seen many of the titles using the term 'Islamic Arms' tend to focus on those weapons from the cultural centers of the Dar al Islam that reflect the traditional forms rather than often indiginous forms often found in its more distant regions. There are naturally exceptions, for example "Les Armes Blanches du Monde Islamique" (Alain Jacob, Paris, 1985) includes chapters including North African weapons from Morocco and kaskaras from Sudan etc.
"Firearms of the Islamic World" by Dr. Robert Elgood is an outstanding reference that includes valuable data concerning these regions as well, as does "Islamic Weapons : Maghreb to Moghul" by Anthony Tirri.

Best regards,
Jim

19th November 2006, 08:23 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Sahel weapons Why are they rarely included in books of Islamic arms?

20th November 2006, 12:17 AM	#2
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Hi Tim, Well, most of them have features and characteristics that pre-date the Islamic expansion no? So many weapons would not be strictly speaking Islamic Arms. Only ones I know are the Tuareg, Hausa, etc variety, can one call these peoples fully Islamic? And then I guess they're included in books on African arms...Spring's African Arms and Armour comes to mind. Regards, Emanuel

20th November 2006, 12:18 AM	#3
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Just thought of something...perhaps these publications/authors wish to emphasize the "eastern" influences/qualities of Islamic arms as opposed to purely African and possibly European.

21st November 2006, 03:26 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,957	It seems to me that the use of 'Islamic Arms' as a title has brought forth quite a lot of dispute, much of it questioning whether that particular distinction accurately describes a range of weapons. From what I have seen many of the titles using the term 'Islamic Arms' tend to focus on those weapons from the cultural centers of the Dar al Islam that reflect the traditional forms rather than often indiginous forms often found in its more distant regions. There are naturally exceptions, for example "Les Armes Blanches du Monde Islamique" (Alain Jacob, Paris, 1985) includes chapters including North African weapons from Morocco and kaskaras from Sudan etc. "Firearms of the Islamic World" by Dr. Robert Elgood is an outstanding reference that includes valuable data concerning these regions as well, as does "Islamic Weapons : Maghreb to Moghul" by Anthony Tirri. Best regards, Jim