North Cameroon sword

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by Iain

Hi Colin,

a) Yes, these are the simplest in some ways. The quality difference is usually pretty clear.

b) Personally I'm not sure how to ID these. The finish, form, fullers etc. are what I usually go on to ID native versus non native.

c) Yes, some items like Tebu, some arm daggers etc. where it seems pretty clear when local ore is used.

d) I'd say none forged sheet metal items. Which are fairly easy to ID.

I have noticed different corrosion tendencies on European blades and sheet metal blades. However so much comes down to storage conditions, I'm not sure about using it as an ID method when it comes to European versus native steel/iron.

But I'm simply not much of a metallurgist!

Iain

Thanks for your reply, Iain. What do you think of this type of corrosion pattern ? I often see something similar on Somali and Sudanese blades, but not usually on Southern African weapons...

Regards.

[Iain]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Thanks for your reply, Iain. What do you think of this type of corrosion pattern ? I often see something similar on Somali and Sudanese blades, but not usually on Southern African weapons...

Regards.

Hi Colin,

I've noticed the same and had also wondered if it had something to do with the steel source. However I've seen similar corrosion on older European blades from the area, so I wonder if it's perhaps more the environment than anything else?

[Iain]

I've received the sword in question. I am very, very pleased with it. The blade is one of the nicest and most subtly executed African blades I've owned. The fullering is superb.

The hilt is leather covered like a takouba and has a solid and heavy cylindrical pommel. Overall this is obviously a combat sword, sharp, well balanced.

I'm fascinated by swords like these, cruciform hilt swords that are distinct from the kaskara and the takouba and this blade form in particular is very unique.

Not the greatest photos again I'm afraid, nasty weather today and I had but a brief window outside before the rains started up again.

[A.alnakkas]

a very nice piece. Is the blade flexible? what are those holes inside the fullers?

[Iain]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

a very nice piece. Is the blade flexible? what are those holes inside the fullers?

Thanks! The holes likely held brass or copper 'slugs' which perhaps were there for talesmanic reasons.

The blade does have some flex and spring. Tempered to some degree for sure.

[Jim McDougall]

Regarding the holes which indeed often were filled with brass or copper, this was indeed as far as I have known, a talismanic gesture of sorts . This is something often seen on early Arab swords (as seen in Yucel) and seems to have certain corroboration in many early European blades with gold metal filled holes. It would be difficult to draw direct line of influence of course, but there are distinct similarities.

On the spotted corrosion, I also must disclaim any metallurgical skills, but personally have always thought perhaps such anomalies might result from inconsistency in the metals compounded in the blade or impurities pocketed in certain spots.
In another perspective, there have often been somewhat fanciful discussions directed toward blood residue resulting in reactions between the biological components and metals. While not necessarily empirically proven as far as I have known, there is a degree of plausibility. Obviously weapons were typically cleaned after such contact, however if the weapon remained unattended and left in place for a period, perhaps corrosive action might occur over time.
Things to consider

[Gavin Nugent]

Hi Iain,

As indicated earlier, this is a very fine sword.

The visual quality of the blade, along with the forging laminations seen near the tip show that someone spent a lot of time getting this one made and finished very well. The presence of the unusual fullering arrangements, along with the clear and strong beveled cutting edges are a good indication the smith had very good knowledge on making fighting swords and I hope others surface in time because there seems to be a trend in the fullering style.

I too am smitten with this primeval form, especially the swords with these quality blades from the region, however luckily for me, my actual collecting interests lay elsewhere.

About the patterns of wear/rusting/pitting etc...I think the fact that a lot of these African knives swords are already tight in the sheaths and that the blade sits so close to the very thin timbers and leathers that this is how and why the condition ends as it is because there is nowhere for moisture to run to other than be kept between the two flat surfaces.
I also think that the presence of these fullers on your sword and others from the region, allow for breathing between the two surfaces and that moisture can disperse easier...certainly a want in the wet seasons..of course to strengthen the blade too.


Gavin

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Regarding the holes which indeed often were filled with brass or copper, this was indeed as far as I have known, a talismanic gesture of sorts . This is something often seen on early Arab swords (as seen in Yucel) and seems to have certain corroboration in many early European blades with gold metal filled holes. It would be difficult to draw direct line of influence of course, but there are distinct similarities.

Hi Jim,

Yes good points, these inserts do have a long tradition in various cultures and can of course be also observed in Southeast Asian arms as well and of course the famous Chinese seven star jian design.

In the context of these African arms, I think this likely has something to do with the age old belief that iron is dangerous, even to the point of having evil connotations while gold, copper, brass are seen as opposing.

Hence the use of brass on hilts and the Tuareg requirement to have brass and copper present on hilts.

This also fits into a very broad characterization of smiths in these societies as possessing magic knowledge and typically being segregated from the rest of society to a certain degree. Again, in the case of the Tuareg this is particularly pronounced with the Inhædˤæn client caste of smiths/metal workers.

In the context of this particular Cameroonian sword, iron was produced in fairly large amounts in the Mandara region at least. This continued until the 1930s, rapidly tailing off as scrap steel became commonly available. Iron formed a basic trade commodity and in bar form was widely exported.

There is a reasonable probability then that this sword is made form iron smelted in a location like Sukur, which was engaged in fairly industrial production. Magnetite, or magnetic iron, collected from sandy stream beds was the source for the raw material.

The quality of this ore and the local smelting processes in use resulted in an exceptionally good product. Even for agricultural tools Sassoon, who visited Sukur in 1962, notes that smelting was seeing something of a revival since imported European iron was considered much inferior. This industry again died out as iron was replaced as a communal currency with modern money.

I'll turn over to Gav's post now since it fits into this quite nicely.

Originally Posted by SwordsAntiqueWeapons

Hi Iain,

As indicated earlier, this is a very fine sword.

The visual quality of the blade, along with the forging laminations seen near the tip show that someone spent a lot of time getting this one made and finished very well. The presence of the unusual fullering arrangements, along with the clear and strong beveled cutting edges are a good indication the smith had very good knowledge on making fighting swords and I hope others surface in time because there seems to be a trend in the fullering style.

Thanks for noting the laminations Gav, as mentioned above the likely iron source for this speaks highly not only of the smithing skills in these regions but also the quality of the entire process from ore to final product.

I am sure there are others about, but the only two I'm aware of, at least with photos online are my own and Martin's which seem very much of a pattern. Martin's other pieces from the region are also intriguing and were discussed some time ago here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14500

The edges are quite good and interestingly, unlike some forms from this region, the fullering is carried out on both sides, rather than simply being a presentation 'face' like for example, the Guduf form. This all of course speaks the practical nature of the piece.

I too am smitten with this primeval form, especially the swords with these quality blades from the region, however luckily for me, my actual collecting interests lay elsewhere.

I still have a nagging chicken/egg question in my mind about these. Is this basic cruciform design derived from takouba influence from Hausa/Fulani areas and kaskara influence from around lake Chad? Or simply indigenous forms to the north Cameroon areas. Probably it will simply remain a mystery.

For the moment I would assign a tentative attribution to the general region in North Cameroon around the Mundang, Daba and Vere groups. There are many small groups in these areas and sadly the main source for even this tentative attribution (Wente-Lukas) doesn't give much detail to go on.

Another distinct possibility is a connection with the Mandara/Wandala kingdom which represents more of the martial tradition this sword seems likely to be associated with.

Iain