African sword. Mandingo? Malinke? Baule?

Bill M · 9th June 2008, 12:12 PM

Possibly used by alll three?

26.5 inches OAL
67 cm

Comments?

Freddy · 9th June 2008, 07:09 PM

I don't think it's Baule, Bill

Here are some pics of Baule swords and knives from the book 'Afrikanische Waffen / African Weapons' by Werner Fischer and Manfred A. Zirngibl (1978)

Martin Lubojacky · 9th June 2008, 08:09 PM

This kind of swords use to be designated to Mandingo/Malinke tribes in literature

Bill M · 9th June 2008, 08:39 PM

Thanks, guys. I have a Baule sword. One of my favorite pieces and it is quite different. Looks like those in Freddy's pictures.

I have an interesting Baule dagger on the way to me. Will post some pics when I get it. I like different cultures, be it Philippines, African, India, or SEA.

Here is the Baule sword. I may have posted it before, not sure.

Martin Lubojacky · 10th June 2008, 09:44 AM

This Baule sword is really brilliant

Bill M · 10th June 2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Lubojacky

This Baule sword is really brilliant

Thank you Martin.

Jim McDougall · 10th June 2008, 04:30 PM

I will echo Martin's note on Bill's sword from Baule...absolutely magnificent! Thank you for the wonderful photos Bill. The shells intact on the scabbard are outstanding, and amazing to see these intact like this.

Regarding the sword posted, which is in the familiar mounts attributed to the Mandingo in Mali, with beautiful leather work and the distinct discs and the guardless hilt, it is quite possible these may have diffused of course to other regions to the west. It has been a personal holding of mine that there are distinct associations between these mounts and the equally distinct Omani 'kattara', whose influence may well have entered these regions in my opinion via the trade routes. In research some time ago this diffusion from Omani trade in Zanzibar that extended as far as Morocco and throughout trade centers across the Sahara became quite apparant.

While the Baule are a distinct tribal group to the west, it is important to observe that 'Malinke' is a variant term applied to the 'Mandingo' (also Manding, Mandin, Mande). Some years ago I knew a Fulani gentleman who was from Guinea, and in showing him an illustration of one of these sabres, he immediately recognised it and promptly referred to it (in Fulani) as a 'kota', this being the apparant term in Fulani for sword (probably generally applied).

With this, it became clear that there was some degree of diffusion to the west of these disctinctly mounted sabres, and it would be as difficult to geographically assign them as many African weapon forms. In general, these remain primarily considered Mandingo weapons, and from regions in Mali. These were of course invariably mounted with European sabre blades of 19th century, and most typically French with the colonial presence there.

All best regards,
Jim

Jim McDougall · 11th June 2008, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Marsh

Possibly used by alll three?

26.5 inches OAL
67 cm

Comments?

Comments posted.

Martin, which literature are you citing? I am looking for references to the Mandingo.

Tim Simmons · 11th June 2008, 05:25 PM

Bill could show that Baule sword three times a day for the next ten years and I would still not be tired of looking at it. So graceful, very clever simplicity with strong decoration which sounds a contradiction but its there.

Jim McDougall · 11th June 2008, 11:46 PM

Yup, its a nice sword.
The one posted on this thread is nice too,

Martin Lubojacky · 12th June 2008, 10:31 PM

Jim, I ment e.g."Afrikanische Waffen" by Werner Fischer und Manfred Zirngibl, page 22

Jim McDougall · 13th June 2008, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Lubojacky

Jim, I ment e.g."Afrikanische Waffen" by Werner Fischer und Manfred Zirngibl, page 22

Thanks so much Martin, response very much appreciated

Bill M · 13th June 2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Bill could show that Baule sword three times a day for the next ten years and I would still not be tired of looking at it. So graceful, very clever simplicity with strong decoration which sounds a contradiction but its there.

Thank you, Tim. It is beautiful art to me also. Great art is something that you can look at everyday and see something new and exciting.

Jim McDougall · 12th July 2008, 05:01 AM

I agree Tim.

Nonoy Tan · 12th July 2008, 09:57 AM

Such a stunning Baule sword !!! The shells are fantastic!

Jim McDougall · 12th July 2008, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nonoy Tan

Such a stunning Baule sword !!! The shells are fantastic!

Yup!!! It is, which is why I bumped it up. I was hoping there might be more comments as per the original post.

Bill M · 13th July 2008, 01:47 AM

Ok, folks, I just got another Baule sword. Older, not in as good condition. Iron hilt. Will make another thread.

9th June 2008, 12:12 PM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	African sword. Mandingo? Malinke? Baule? Possibly used by alll three? 26.5 inches OAL 67 cm Comments? Attached Images

9th June 2008, 08:39 PM	#4
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Thanks, guys. I have a Baule sword. One of my favorite pieces and it is quite different. Looks like those in Freddy's pictures. I have an interesting Baule dagger on the way to me. Will post some pics when I get it. I like different cultures, be it Philippines, African, India, or SEA. Here is the Baule sword. I may have posted it before, not sure. Attached Images

9th June 2008, 07:09 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	I don't think it's Baule, Bill Here are some pics of Baule swords and knives from the book 'Afrikanische Waffen / African Weapons' by Werner Fischer and Manfred A. Zirngibl (1978)

9th June 2008, 08:09 PM	#3
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	This kind of swords use to be designated to Mandingo/Malinke tribes in literature

10th June 2008, 09:44 AM	#5
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	This Baule sword is really brilliant

10th June 2008, 04:30 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	I will echo Martin's note on Bill's sword from Baule...absolutely magnificent! Thank you for the wonderful photos Bill. The shells intact on the scabbard are outstanding, and amazing to see these intact like this. Regarding the sword posted, which is in the familiar mounts attributed to the Mandingo in Mali, with beautiful leather work and the distinct discs and the guardless hilt, it is quite possible these may have diffused of course to other regions to the west. It has been a personal holding of mine that there are distinct associations between these mounts and the equally distinct Omani 'kattara', whose influence may well have entered these regions in my opinion via the trade routes. In research some time ago this diffusion from Omani trade in Zanzibar that extended as far as Morocco and throughout trade centers across the Sahara became quite apparant. While the Baule are a distinct tribal group to the west, it is important to observe that 'Malinke' is a variant term applied to the 'Mandingo' (also Manding, Mandin, Mande). Some years ago I knew a Fulani gentleman who was from Guinea, and in showing him an illustration of one of these sabres, he immediately recognised it and promptly referred to it (in Fulani) as a 'kota', this being the apparant term in Fulani for sword (probably generally applied). With this, it became clear that there was some degree of diffusion to the west of these disctinctly mounted sabres, and it would be as difficult to geographically assign them as many African weapon forms. In general, these remain primarily considered Mandingo weapons, and from regions in Mali. These were of course invariably mounted with European sabre blades of 19th century, and most typically French with the colonial presence there. All best regards, Jim

11th June 2008, 05:25 PM	#9
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	Bill could show that Baule sword three times a day for the next ten years and I would still not be tired of looking at it. So graceful, very clever simplicity with strong decoration which sounds a contradiction but its there.

11th June 2008, 11:46 PM	#10
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	Yup, its a nice sword. The one posted on this thread is nice too,

12th June 2008, 10:31 PM	#11
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	Jim, I ment e.g."Afrikanische Waffen" by Werner Fischer und Manfred Zirngibl, page 22

12th July 2008, 05:01 AM	#14
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	I agree Tim.

12th July 2008, 09:57 AM	#15
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	Such a stunning Baule sword !!! The shells are fantastic!

13th July 2008, 01:47 AM	#17
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Ok, folks, I just got another Baule sword. Older, not in as good condition. Iron hilt. Will make another thread.