Sahel ? dagger

Jim McDougall · 26th September 2014, 05:57 PM

What I always find intriguing is that even 20th century examples of Sudanese daggers often carry various crudely inscribed markings, and often in these linear fashion groupings. It seems compelling proof of deep symbolic meanings in many of the markings on these weapons which far exceed the idea that natives simply copied established markings to signify quality etc as with spurious European markings.

Obviously in many cases, perhaps even this one, this crude application may simply be simulated motif seen on other arms, but many 'rocker' type designs may have that deeper significance.

It would be interesting to see other Sudanese daggers with markings of this kind to look further into these possibilities.

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26th September 2014, 05:57 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,200	What I always find intriguing is that even 20th century examples of Sudanese daggers often carry various crudely inscribed markings, and often in these linear fashion groupings. It seems compelling proof of deep symbolic meanings in many of the markings on these weapons which far exceed the idea that natives simply copied established markings to signify quality etc as with spurious European markings. Obviously in many cases, perhaps even this one, this crude application may simply be simulated motif seen on other arms, but many 'rocker' type designs may have that deeper significance. It would be interesting to see other Sudanese daggers with markings of this kind to look further into these possibilities.