Sudanese spears of Mahdist Period 1881-1899

Jim McDougall · 31st January 2023, 09:49 PM

While we have often discussed Sudanese swords (kaskara) there has not been that much discussion on the spears, which seem to have been of various tribal forms. These forms were not all indiginous to Sudan necessarily, but from tribes in neighboring countries as well.

The script covered example I have here is I believe an 'alem' and while it seems to correspond to the wide leaf blade type ', I think it was likely used as a battle standard. This is suggested by Artzi in the blue backed illustration of one of similar wide blade form (apparently remounted with ivory handle).

In the fall of Khartoum (1885) British General Gordon was killed by a zealous tribesman who is this artwork appears to have one of the wide blade spears.

I would appreciate comments and especially examples of spears out there of Sudanese association and of this period.

31st January 2023, 09:49 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,951	Sudanese spears of Mahdist Period 1881-1899 While we have often discussed Sudanese swords (kaskara) there has not been that much discussion on the spears, which seem to have been of various tribal forms. These forms were not all indiginous to Sudan necessarily, but from tribes in neighboring countries as well. The script covered example I have here is I believe an 'alem' and while it seems to correspond to the wide leaf blade type ', I think it was likely used as a battle standard. This is suggested by Artzi in the blue backed illustration of one of similar wide blade form (apparently remounted with ivory handle). In the fall of Khartoum (1885) British General Gordon was killed by a zealous tribesman who is this artwork appears to have one of the wide blade spears. I would appreciate comments and especially examples of spears out there of Sudanese association and of this period. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 31st January 2023 at 10:01 PM.