African Sword?

[drac2k]

I am guessing that this could be African ; I would appreciate some help on this one.It measures 23" long.

[Marc M.]

Not sure, but suspect Baule, West Africa.

[drac2k]

Thanks, I'll start searching there.

[Sajen]

Mandingo would be my uneducated guess. :)

[Pertinax]

Mandingo would be my uneducated guess. :)

Looks like a Mandingo, but the carving on the handle confuses me.

Possibly West Africa, Dahomey

[drac2k]

Once again thanks to all for the suggestions; two more areas to search. Even though I don't think so, there is the possibility that it is a fantasy piece.

[francantolin]

Akrafena sword for me,
Ghana or Dahomey

[Pertinax]

Here is a similar one from the web without attribution

[werecow]

Here is a similar one from the web without attribution

That grip reminds me a bit of the one on my Dahomey gubasa (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=29260):

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=230796&stc=1&d=1696857932

And also note the similar decorative elements on the Hwi from that same thread:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=230778&stc=1&d=1696856503

[Araña_del_Sol]

This appears to be one of the many variations of the hwi of the Fon people (Dahomey Kingdom). Below is a Fon sword from my collection with similar motifs and design elements for comparison.

- ADS

[drac2k]

Once again thanks to all for the informed collective comments! Based on the geometric designs on the blade and the handle I think that it is indeed a Dahomey sword.