Sudanese Hausa dagger 19th century?

Dusti · 8th May 2006, 03:49 PM

Hi all

I was told this was a Sudanese Huasa Dagger. Can anyone tell me more about it? Thanks

katana · 8th May 2006, 09:07 PM

The handle design, ('T' shaped) is very similar to my Hausa arm dagger. The scabbard seems typical for the Sudanese area, but I'm not so certain that it would be considered 'Hausa'. Perhaps the knife has 'Hausa' influences or could the scabbard be younger than the knife, and therefore not original. A picture of the blade may provide more clues.

Jim McDougall · 8th May 2006, 10:34 PM

As always, identification of North African weapons is a conundrum, when considering trade routes, interaction of nomadic tribes, constant refurbishing of older weapons and eventually, the curse of the tourist trade!

Katana has well pointed out the clear Hausa influences in this dagger, and it most certainly may be, or have been Hausa. It appears to have had, as noted, a sheath made as a later addition. The strip of crocodile hide at the throat of the scabbard suggests possible Darfur association, as this feature is typically found on kaskara mounts from there. The Hausa groups seem to have inhabited regions from Niger, westward as far as Sudan, therefore the refitted dagger may have found use in these regions.

Best regards,
Jim

Dusti · 8th May 2006, 11:28 PM

I thank both of you for your replies regarding my dagger. I am certainly getting an education and I do appreciate that.

Here is a photo of the blade. It is discolored and pitted (as far as I can see). There are faint lines running along the edge of the blade on both sides, but not sure they will show up sufficiently to be seen.

Dusti · 8th May 2006, 11:33 PM

Guess it would help to upload it.

Dusti · 8th May 2006, 11:47 PM

Does having two daggers constitute a "collection"?

This is my only other dagger.

Jim McDougall · 10th May 2006, 01:45 AM

Hi Dusti,
Absolutely!
A collection could be a single item, the entire purpose of collecting is to enjoy the item or items you have. It is absolutely not about hoarding or trying to outdo anyone else..its completely personal. Both your daggers are nice examples, and clearly have thier own stories to tell. Enjoy them!

All the best,
Jim

Dusti · 10th May 2006, 04:20 AM

Hi Jim

I have indeed enjoyed the mystery of them up til now. They are probably the most unusual things I have around the house and definitely more interesting than the claymore sword my son gifted me. However, my husband has to have a bone marrow transplant in the very near future and that's how they ended up back on my desk. Now, I get to mull over the pros and cons and decide just how much I like them.

Thanks again for all the information and the kind words.

Dusti

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Hi Dusti,
Absolutely!
A collection could be a single item, the entire purpose of collecting is to enjoy the item or items you have. It is absolutely not about hoarding or trying to outdo anyone else..its completely personal. Both your daggers are nice examples, and clearly have thier own stories to tell. Enjoy them!

All the best,
Jim

8th May 2006, 03:49 PM	#1
Dusti Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 5	Sudanese Hausa dagger 19th century? Hi all I was told this was a Sudanese Huasa Dagger. Can anyone tell me more about it? Thanks Attached Images

8th May 2006, 09:07 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	The handle design, ('T' shaped) is very similar to my Hausa arm dagger. The scabbard seems typical for the Sudanese area, but I'm not so certain that it would be considered 'Hausa'. Perhaps the knife has 'Hausa' influences or could the scabbard be younger than the knife, and therefore not original. A picture of the blade may provide more clues. Attached Images

8th May 2006, 11:28 PM	#4
Dusti Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 5	Sudanese dagger I thank both of you for your replies regarding my dagger. I am certainly getting an education and I do appreciate that. Here is a photo of the blade. It is discolored and pitted (as far as I can see). There are faint lines running along the edge of the blade on both sides, but not sure they will show up sufficiently to be seen.

8th May 2006, 11:33 PM	#5
Dusti Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 5	Photo Guess it would help to upload it. Attached Images

8th May 2006, 11:47 PM	#6
Dusti Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 5	One more dagger Does having two daggers constitute a "collection"? This is my only other dagger. Attached Images

8th May 2006, 10:34 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,946	As always, identification of North African weapons is a conundrum, when considering trade routes, interaction of nomadic tribes, constant refurbishing of older weapons and eventually, the curse of the tourist trade! Katana has well pointed out the clear Hausa influences in this dagger, and it most certainly may be, or have been Hausa. It appears to have had, as noted, a sheath made as a later addition. The strip of crocodile hide at the throat of the scabbard suggests possible Darfur association, as this feature is typically found on kaskara mounts from there. The Hausa groups seem to have inhabited regions from Niger, westward as far as Sudan, therefore the refitted dagger may have found use in these regions. Best regards, Jim

10th May 2006, 01:45 AM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,946	Hi Dusti, Absolutely! A collection could be a single item, the entire purpose of collecting is to enjoy the item or items you have. It is absolutely not about hoarding or trying to outdo anyone else..its completely personal. Both your daggers are nice examples, and clearly have thier own stories to tell. Enjoy them! All the best, Jim