Unknown knife/dagger Ethiopian origin
 

Hello, and thanks in advance for reading this. Can anybody tell me a bit about this knife/dagger? The only info I have is that it came from Ethiopia, early 20th century. A little over 20 inches long, what looks like wood and horn for the hilt, and a coin (date 1922) on the pommel. Not much of the leather sheath left.

Thanks again,
Zach

Hi Zach:

That's a pretty rough knife you show--village blacksmith quality with lots of hammer marks and little or no attempt to grind it to shape. Could be from Sudan too.

Ian.

Nice primitive weapon. I like the delicate curve of the blade; contrasts with the hammered texture.

Other than that I have nothing to advance the information.

Being unfamiliar with African weapons I note the sheath is unlined leather, reminiscent of a Masai seme. I don't know if that would provide an aid in identification; the only other sheathed weapons I possess from the area are leather-covered wood, one being a Mahdist dagger from Sudan, the other a Manding.

Hello Zach,
The knife is from southern part of Ethiopia - this is for sure. Both the handle and the ornamentation on the sheath are the very typical signs. The knife is extremely rough. There are much, much much nicer,ten grades higher qualities. There exist many variations of such machetes in southern Ethiopia. E.g typical are those of Dorze people.
The work is absolutely not from the Early 20th century. Most probably from the early 21st century.
Regards,
Martin

Thanks to all!
 

Fantastic, thanks to Martin, Bob and Ian for your replies! The Masai link does fit; as this dagger was a part of a larger collection of Masai items. This forum never ceases to amaze me, with all of the collected knowledge everybody has!

Thanks again, and take care...
Zach