The handle is very likely made of very hard ebony wood (the grooves on the underside, caused by processing, would correspond to this). I don't think the Ethiopians deliberately stained the handles. Over years of use in field conditions, and by hanging the weapon in a room that did not have a fireplace with a chimney, a crust-like patina often developed that completely covered the original color of the material. A hilt with a "highlighted back" is not so common. Similarly, this sheath with a blunt end is relatively rare to see and, in my opinion, is of an "older type" (in Ethiopia) than the classic sheath
Best regards,
Martin
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