Hi Jim and Luc,
thankyou for your opinions.
Jim, thanks for the additional, interesting information, as to the pommel design....
I am not so sure that it has symbolic meaning due to the diversity of the tribes where this design is found.....although it must be possible that originally there may have been...but the meaning now lost and the shape just copied
As far as I can tell this dagger is forged 'one piece' ...giving the pommel strength. Close combat with knives and swords often allows the pommel to be used as a 'bludgeoning' tool. Although the pommel is not 'heavy' , it's narrow profile would increase the 'pounds per square inch' of its impact. Used to strike the head it could easily (momentarily) stun or distract your opponent, before you strike with the blade. If the pommel was 'edged' and sharp it would add another dimension to its use. But carrying on the arm would cause injury to the wearer's arm when carried in the arm looped scabbard or hand as they draw the dagger.
This is just conjecture, on my part, I wonder if there are any other opinions...
Below are two pictures of this dagger's pommel and several Tebu examples for comparison.