What's a Bou Saddi knife??

[Emanuel]

Hello,

Here's a weird knife/dagger on [url="http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170060785911&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=007"]ebay[/urk]
It was listed as an Algerian Bou Saddi knife dating from 19th-20th century. The thing is, it looks a lot like my tourist khodme...the same carvings and decorations on the blade. I haven't encountered the term "bou saddi" before, what is it, what does it mean?
Regards,
Emanuel

[Emanuel]

All right, tourist khodme it is. But still, what does bou saddi mean?

[RhysMichael]

Bou-Saada is a region of southern Algeria isn't it ?

[Emanuel]

Hello,

It seems you're right. It's a bit south of Constantine I think. Interesting that the seller would give the knife such a name. Perhaps the market where he got it...

[RhysMichael]

I am not sure that is what he meant but it would make sense to me. Perhaps he was using it as a descriptor of where it was from and not a type of knife ( e.g. an Indian Knife )

[ErnestoJuan]

On page 45, Tirri describes these knives as 20th century Bou Saddi knives from Algeria. Couldn't find anything in Stone nor Spring.

[Emanuel]

Hi Ernesto,
Interesting that these actually have an attribution. If mine is indeed an example of these daggers, then they are not for use - simply ceremonial or tourist items.