Gilao or Bille'???
 

Question for you guys: I know the bottom knife is a GILLE' form the Afar/Danakil tribes. I know the middle one is a Somalian BILLAO. So, what's the top one? The hilt is that of a Billao, but the blade resembles the Gille'. Has any of you seen a dagger like this before and can identify the area it's from? Thank, Ron

Hi Roanoa


The top one is Billao just another variation of the dagger.



Lew

Thats a nice trio, I find the top one most interesting, have you got the scabbards?
I have a version with a similar blade to the top one, I think the blade on your one is a little longer and mine does not have the projections on the pommel but the form is the same, here is apicture to compare. Tim

Here is the scabbard. I have several Gille' and Billao. They all follow a pretty standard pattern. The one I posted seems to have combined features from both. And that's what I had found interesting. Cheers, RON

Forgot to add the picture... I am really getting old... RON

Ron

Maybe the smith who made this came from mixed tribal parents or he was just a bit confused about the buyers heritage so he basically killed two birds with one stone? :D


Lew

That was my thought. All the Billao I have seen have the point of the blade pretty much on the same axis as the grip. All the Gile' I have seen have the point of the blade a couple of inches off the axis. The major features of this pieces point to a Billao, but the Gile' influence is interesting. Have you ever seen a Billao with a similar blade? RON