Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Some more objects from the RDG

Jim McDougall · 15th May 2010, 05:17 PM

Thank you so much RDGAC for posting this fascinating example, and as Stephen has noted, it is great to see examples that have been in museums for such a long time as provenance is such an important key in the study of weapons.
I am inclined to agree also with Stephen, that these kaskaras seem more likely to have been acquired in later campaigns against Mahdist forces, as the Egyptian forces had been largely striving for more modern European type militarization since the time of Muhammed Ali. With that being the case, it would not seem that medieval style broadswords would have been concurrent with modern type arms.

However, it is noted that at the time of Muhammed Ali's invasion of the Sudan in 1819, the Sudanese tribes had no central authority and tribal infighting was carried out with primitive weaponry. By the time of the Mahdist uprisings in the 1870s the Mahdists were described as poorly clothed, and armed only with sticks and stones. Despite this, they were apparantly able to overpower assembled Egyptian forces and acquire stores of arms and ammunition. It is not made clear what these captured arms were, but the inclusion of the ammunition term obviously suggests emphasis on guns.
It appears that much of the Mahdist supply was obtained in the same way, as captured materials from previous battles are mentioned as sources.

It is known that broadsword blades began to enter the trans Saharan cultural sphere sometime long before this period, as these weapons are described in some of the early narratives of c.1830s and 40s. It is also known that the native made blades with these type fullers, as well as the crescent moons in opposed pair, were said to be 'made in the north'. Exactly what 'north' is meant is unclear, but if it was as far north as Egyptian areas, it would certainly bring interesting perspective to the kaskara. It would certainly seem plausible that in the centuries of Mamluk domain in Egypt, an armourers tradition must have been extant, we know that it was for mail.

Therefore, the questions stand....would there have been use of the kaskara among infantry ranks in the Egyptian army of c.1882? Would captured weaponry taken from Egyptian forces by the Mahdi, and used to equip his 'Ansar' have included these broadswords? Would the description of 'primitive weapons' used by Sudanese tribes mean 'ancient broadswords'?

I'd sure like to hear opinions on these.

Meanwhile, this kaskara, excels in its history as it has remained in situ for such a long time, and that it came out of campaigns in these regions in these times seems secure, regardless of exact circumstances.

I hope we might see the others also, and know if there are similar details in provenance.

All best regards,
Jim

15th May 2010, 05:17 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,738	Thank you so much RDGAC for posting this fascinating example, and as Stephen has noted, it is great to see examples that have been in museums for such a long time as provenance is such an important key in the study of weapons. I am inclined to agree also with Stephen, that these kaskaras seem more likely to have been acquired in later campaigns against Mahdist forces, as the Egyptian forces had been largely striving for more modern European type militarization since the time of Muhammed Ali. With that being the case, it would not seem that medieval style broadswords would have been concurrent with modern type arms. However, it is noted that at the time of Muhammed Ali's invasion of the Sudan in 1819, the Sudanese tribes had no central authority and tribal infighting was carried out with primitive weaponry. By the time of the Mahdist uprisings in the 1870s the Mahdists were described as poorly clothed, and armed only with sticks and stones. Despite this, they were apparantly able to overpower assembled Egyptian forces and acquire stores of arms and ammunition. It is not made clear what these captured arms were, but the inclusion of the ammunition term obviously suggests emphasis on guns. It appears that much of the Mahdist supply was obtained in the same way, as captured materials from previous battles are mentioned as sources. It is known that broadsword blades began to enter the trans Saharan cultural sphere sometime long before this period, as these weapons are described in some of the early narratives of c.1830s and 40s. It is also known that the native made blades with these type fullers, as well as the crescent moons in opposed pair, were said to be 'made in the north'. Exactly what 'north' is meant is unclear, but if it was as far north as Egyptian areas, it would certainly bring interesting perspective to the kaskara. It would certainly seem plausible that in the centuries of Mamluk domain in Egypt, an armourers tradition must have been extant, we know that it was for mail. Therefore, the questions stand....would there have been use of the kaskara among infantry ranks in the Egyptian army of c.1882? Would captured weaponry taken from Egyptian forces by the Mahdi, and used to equip his 'Ansar' have included these broadswords? Would the description of 'primitive weapons' used by Sudanese tribes mean 'ancient broadswords'? I'd sure like to hear opinions on these. Meanwhile, this kaskara, excels in its history as it has remained in situ for such a long time, and that it came out of campaigns in these regions in these times seems secure, regardless of exact circumstances. I hope we might see the others also, and know if there are similar details in provenance. All best regards, Jim