Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Talismanic Devices and Imbuements on Islamic Arms

Jim McDougall · 10th December 2018, 09:13 PM

Thanks Ed! and great input on the Sudanese aspects of the talismanic elements in the motif on these swords. The folk religion and superstitions are often melded together with Islamic invocations etc. just as is the case across North African regions.
In the Berber regions such as with the flyssa in Kabyle and adjacent areas, the geometric designs in the Byzantine style motifs are thought to represent the fibula or as described 'Hand of Fatima' apotropaic against the evil eye.

Good notes on these aspects of the metals used in the dress on these swords as well. Thank you!

10th December 2018, 09:13 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,741	Thanks Ed! and great input on the Sudanese aspects of the talismanic elements in the motif on these swords. The folk religion and superstitions are often melded together with Islamic invocations etc. just as is the case across North African regions. In the Berber regions such as with the flyssa in Kabyle and adjacent areas, the geometric designs in the Byzantine style motifs are thought to represent the fibula or as described 'Hand of Fatima' apotropaic against the evil eye. Good notes on these aspects of the metals used in the dress on these swords as well. Thank you!