SWORD FOR DISCUSSION

[Iain]

Originally Posted by freebooter

Indeed it does Darren....but there appears to be some honest wear and tear though...

I'll digest and ponder your thoughts Iain.
Perhaps combined with Arab slavery or as a stand alone aspect, I wonder if the conversion to Islam had something to do with exposure to the Kattara form? From teacher, scholars and other travellers too?

Gavin

Hi Gav,

Could certainly have happened that way! I'm honestly haven't focused on accounts of Arabs in these regions when I've been going through period materials. I will try to take a look later and see what I can find. Although most of the material I have on hand would relate more to Hausa areas. Its always been a puzzle to me why the takouba didn't take off in these regions, since it seems to have done so pretty much everywhere else in surrounding areas and ethnic groups, particularly after the Fulani jihads - but that's another topic and I don't want to derail this thread. So I've always been a little intrigued by Mandingo mounts as they are so different to anything else in the area. If they are the result of Arab influence, my question would be why don't we see these mount styles further east in the Sahel along the trade routes? Why does it only appear fairly far west?

Darren,

My guess is these weapons had the mounts refreshed with some regularity just like other swords in the Sahel region. My understanding is that the heat and atmospheric conditions are pretty tough on leather and it wears out and ages quickly.

Could also be just a new decorative element added later to an older scabbard.

Its certainly an old blade and the whole ensemble looks to have good age.