The decorative motifs used on these swords across this belt of the south Sahara are indeed mystifying and enchanting. The last two pictures are of more modern work and on the circular piece, the motifs are used to form an almost floral design. The other pictures contain the mystery.
What we have to take into consideration is the influence of Islam in the region and the suppression of any obvious pagan imagery. So the history and full understanding and the meaning of the designs may even be lost to the craftsmen, all they know is that they are auspicious.
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