Kaskara translation

[ericlaude]

I receivt this pretty kaskara with hilt and scabbard covert with crocco.
The blade is covert with arabic inscriptions , someone can translate it ?
Thanks in advance.

[ericlaude]

First face

[ericlaude]

Second face

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Ericlaude,
Really interesting!!!! and while we will hopefully see Dom come in to help with translation soon, can you show closeups of the hilt...is this croc foot?

Best,
Jim

[ericlaude]

Yes, the hilt is covert with croc foot and one tooth incrusted and the scabbard is covert with the croc back.

[David]

Yes, the hilt is covert with croc foot and one tooth incrusted and the scabbard is covert with the croc back.
I think that is more likely a claw, not a tooth. :)

[Lew]

The writing is probably verses from the Koran. I like the blade but have always thought these kaskara with crocodile coverings were sold to those who traveled for pleasure. Since I have never seen one carried by local in old photos?

[Dom]

will hopefully see Dom come in to help with translation soon
;) here we are
Hi "ericlaude" very nice kaskara indeed
now ... nice things and disappointment :shrug:
disappointment, because all cartouche are in "thuluth" script
and it's, at least for us, impossible to read it, but no regret, should be only Koranic verses
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1228/thuluth2.jpg (http://img215.imageshack.us/i/thuluth2.jpg/)

nice things the 2 mentions gave some datas, unfortunatly, one (1) word is hidden behind the hilt on each side
on one side, as the mention is a "classic" easy to imagine it
but, no way, for the other mention, .. hard luck :o
first face
(NASR) (word hidden) MENE ALLAH WA FAT KARIB
either
when the VICTORY (word hidden) GRANTED BY ALLAH AND THE CONQUEST come

second face
SANA 1122 either ANNÉE 1710
(word hidden) ?? AL EMIR AL TA'AYCHI either (word hidden) ?? THE PRINCE AL TA'AYCHI

now remains for you to find out who is this "Prince",
certainly a tribal leader, unless his name has left a mark in the history of Sudan,
also ... good hunting :p

à +

Dom

[Jim McDougall]

Thanks very much for the closeups Ericlaude, these croc covered kaskara are really intriguing examples, and there has always been lots on controversy about whether these were actually worn or as Lew notes, interesting souveniers.
I think these were definitely worn, but not by those who were typically standing for photos, and I believe there may be other reasons behind the macabre dress on them. I have always believed there were totemic values in the application of these hides, and this has been confirmed in some degree by individuals from Sudan I have talked with. Also, weapons with these coverings are among holdings in a prominant collection of Mahdist period artifacts and described in the accompanying exhibition catalog from about ten years ago.

Dom, as always, superbly done!!!! I have always wondered just how much these thuluth script renderings would have held in decipherable wording, and how much would have been stylized calligraphy, as often described. The beauty of the script is profoundly effective regardless.

All best regards,
Jim

[ericlaude]

Thank you Dom,Jim, David and Lew for your light.
Best regards