Sudanese sword with ivory hilt

[Bill M]

Prestige piece?

Could this be from Hadendoa /Beja tribes? I have seen a few like this with bone or wood/reptile skin, but this one is ivory. Chiseled decorations on both sides of blade.

28" overall length.

[RobT]

Hi Bill,
From the decoration on the blade I'd say Tuareg.
Sincerely,
RobT

[CharlesS]

I agree with RobT. This is from the western Sudan or Sahara, not the eastern Sudan.

[Lew]

Yes I agree with Charles on this one. I had one of these in my collection a while back but just can't remember what I did with it ;). Bill that is a rare beauty you have there.

Congrats

Lew

[Jim McDougall]

Nilotic, probably from Dongolan regions. The ivory hilt carries the circled dot motif which is also often seen on these. The hilt motif on many of these seems to carry various influences, and the 'cross of agadez' does indeed suggest Tuareg influence, usually carried eastward by the Hausa. This example seems possibly early 20th century.

[CharlesS]

Lew,

I DO remember what you did with that dagger.................. :rolleyes:

[Jim McDougall]

While I have suggested this piece is probably from Dongola, I cannot recall what particular tribes were situated there. I know that The Mahdi was originally from this region on the Nile, but cannot recall which tribe he was from.
Also, the style of these hilts is interesting and suggests influence from other African regions..perhaps to the south. Any ideas?

[Jim McDougall]

I just thought of this piece with Bills recent post of the Taureg symbols, the engraved cross of Agadez on the blade seems remarkably associated.