Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

katana · 14th August 2008, 05:53 PM

Hi Jim,

the snake is a dominant icon in African mythology. (especially in the West and the Voodoo religion which was 'exported' due to the slave trade.)

"....The demi-god Aidophedo of the West African Ashanti is also a serpent biting its own tail. In Dahomey mythology of Benin in West Africa, the serpent that supports everything on its many coils was named Dan. In the Vodou of Benin and Haiti Ayida-Weddo (a.k.a. Aida-Wedo, Aido Quedo, "Rainbow-Serpent") is a spirit of fertility, rainbows and snakes, and a companion or wife to Dan, the father of all spirits. As Vodou was exported to Haiti through the slave trade Dan became Danballah, Damballah or Damballah-Wedo...."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpent_(symbolism)

".....Mythological snakes that act as forces of good have various roles, such as creating the world, protecting it, or helping humans. Stories of the Fon people of West Africa tell of Da, a serpent whose 3,500 coils support the cosmic ocean in which the earth floats. Another 3,500 of its coils support the sky. Humans occasionally catch a glimpse of many-colored Da in a rainbow or in light reflected on the surface of water.,,,,"
http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Sa-S...nd-Snakes.html

The other interesting thing is that the Cobra only displays its 'hood' when under threat or about to strike, ideal sybolism for a sword ? The display is to warn a possible attacker of its intent, on occasions this is usually enough and the aggressor 'backs off'. (possibly, again, good symbolism on a sword)

There are instances whereby zoomorphic decoration is a combination of two or more identities. It may be possible in this case. Looking at the pommel (at the angle which suggests cobra) there is a strong hint of an elephant. The pommel from the side (to me) looks reptilian with high brow ridges. Here could be the 'combination' of two seperate talismatic creatures. Symbolically, as each creature is identifiable individually (depending on the view point) their powers are not diluted by the other....and yet they 'exist' in one form. This 'insures' that the talismatic 'power' is greater than the 'sum of its parts', due to their 'co-existance' .......a possibility

All the best
Regards David

14th August 2008, 05:53 PM	#16
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Jim, the snake is a dominant icon in African mythology. (especially in the West and the Voodoo religion which was 'exported' due to the slave trade.) "....The demi-god Aidophedo of the West African Ashanti is also a serpent biting its own tail. In Dahomey mythology of Benin in West Africa, the serpent that supports everything on its many coils was named Dan. In the Vodou of Benin and Haiti Ayida-Weddo (a.k.a. Aida-Wedo, Aido Quedo, "Rainbow-Serpent") is a spirit of fertility, rainbows and snakes, and a companion or wife to Dan, the father of all spirits. As Vodou was exported to Haiti through the slave trade Dan became Danballah, Damballah or Damballah-Wedo...." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpent_(symbolism) ".....Mythological snakes that act as forces of good have various roles, such as creating the world, protecting it, or helping humans. Stories of the Fon people of West Africa tell of Da, a serpent whose 3,500 coils support the cosmic ocean in which the earth floats. Another 3,500 of its coils support the sky. Humans occasionally catch a glimpse of many-colored Da in a rainbow or in light reflected on the surface of water.,,,," http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Sa-S...nd-Snakes.html The other interesting thing is that the Cobra only displays its 'hood' when under threat or about to strike, ideal sybolism for a sword ? The display is to warn a possible attacker of its intent, on occasions this is usually enough and the aggressor 'backs off'. (possibly, again, good symbolism on a sword) There are instances whereby zoomorphic decoration is a combination of two or more identities. It may be possible in this case. Looking at the pommel (at the angle which suggests cobra) there is a strong hint of an elephant. The pommel from the side (to me) looks reptilian with high brow ridges. Here could be the 'combination' of two seperate talismatic creatures. Symbolically, as each creature is identifiable individually (depending on the view point) their powers are not diluted by the other....and yet they 'exist' in one form. This 'insures' that the talismatic 'power' is greater than the 'sum of its parts', due to their 'co-existance' .......a possibility All the best Regards David