Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jim McDougall · 3rd August 2011, 06:34 AM

LOL! It does look like a ping pong paddle in a way

This is most definitely a weapon from Sudan, and is of a type which is understandably referred to in captions when grouped with other Sudanese dagger forms as a 'spade shaped dagger'. Examples of this from the Mahdist period were uusually with hilt covered with hide from Nile monitor lizards, and the blades profusely decorated in 'thuluth' which was believed to render talismanic protection to the warrior. It is known that daggers often served as utility pieces as well as weapons, however in the case of the Mahdiyya period examples, I personally would think that unlikely.

Actually these unusual bladed weapons were slashing knives, and there are similar wide blade knives with centrally positioned handles in the Central African regions which became the 'Belgian Congo'. The Kuba had varying examples of these dramatically wide, short blades ("African Weapons", Fischer & Zirngible, Passau, 1978, #282,283,284) in varying profiles but all wide. In their descriptions they are termed 'weighty, slashing knives'.

While the origin of this wide 'spade' shape in the Sudan is unclear, it is known that the kinds of throwing knives known from these regions are also well known in the Sudan. The 'Congo' actually nearly traversed the African continent in the 19th century, and while the Kuba kingdom was situated closer to West African regions, the lower Sudan was to the Congo's NE border, presenting possibilities for diffusion northward.

This example appears to be a later interpretation of one of these spade bladed daggers of Sudan from probably 20th century as suggested. The cartouches on the hilt of course represent probably Mamluk style ornamentation or perhaps Ottoman . The stamped solar designs may be an armourers stamp used as overall motif. The bone hilt recalls many items of Mahdist period which were hilted in ivory.

I am not aware of any ritual in either tradition or religion or otherwise in any of these regions which involve 'sacrifices'.

3rd August 2011, 06:34 AM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,193	LOL! It does look like a ping pong paddle in a way This is most definitely a weapon from Sudan, and is of a type which is understandably referred to in captions when grouped with other Sudanese dagger forms as a 'spade shaped dagger'. Examples of this from the Mahdist period were uusually with hilt covered with hide from Nile monitor lizards, and the blades profusely decorated in 'thuluth' which was believed to render talismanic protection to the warrior. It is known that daggers often served as utility pieces as well as weapons, however in the case of the Mahdiyya period examples, I personally would think that unlikely. Actually these unusual bladed weapons were slashing knives, and there are similar wide blade knives with centrally positioned handles in the Central African regions which became the 'Belgian Congo'. The Kuba had varying examples of these dramatically wide, short blades ("African Weapons", Fischer & Zirngible, Passau, 1978, #282,283,284) in varying profiles but all wide. In their descriptions they are termed 'weighty, slashing knives'. While the origin of this wide 'spade' shape in the Sudan is unclear, it is known that the kinds of throwing knives known from these regions are also well known in the Sudan. The 'Congo' actually nearly traversed the African continent in the 19th century, and while the Kuba kingdom was situated closer to West African regions, the lower Sudan was to the Congo's NE border, presenting possibilities for diffusion northward. This example appears to be a later interpretation of one of these spade bladed daggers of Sudan from probably 20th century as suggested. The cartouches on the hilt of course represent probably Mamluk style ornamentation or perhaps Ottoman . The stamped solar designs may be an armourers stamp used as overall motif. The bone hilt recalls many items of Mahdist period which were hilted in ivory. I am not aware of any ritual in either tradition or religion or otherwise in any of these regions which involve 'sacrifices'. Last edited by Jim McDougall; 3rd August 2011 at 03:59 PM.