Dahomey Hwi

Jim McDougall · 24th July 2015, 03:20 AM

A truly amazing hybrid Miguel, thank you for bringing it in here!

It has been a long time since we have discussed these Dahomean hwi it seems, and for those interested in further reading on them, Christopher Spring in "African Arms and Armour" has a good section about them.
He uses plates and data from "Sabres Decores du Dahomey"
Montserrat Palau Marti
Objets et Mondes, VII:4, 1967
These fascinating ceremonial blades on these hwi reflect the tribal animist traditions and often facets of the West African Vodun religion.

This does appear to be a French briquette sword as noted by Kubur, and these were around latter 18th century, well into the 19th. They were replaced my a gladius type sword M1831 but both seem concurrent in 1830s.
The hilt on this one seems likely 2nd Empire c.1854+
While the French did not colonize Dahomey until 1872, I have researched hwi which were collected there c 1856 by French officers.

Fascinating example reflecting the Dahoman traditions coupled with French colonial situations, and great historical possibilities,

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24th July 2015, 03:20 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	A truly amazing hybrid Miguel, thank you for bringing it in here! It has been a long time since we have discussed these Dahomean hwi it seems, and for those interested in further reading on them, Christopher Spring in "African Arms and Armour" has a good section about them. He uses plates and data from "Sabres Decores du Dahomey" Montserrat Palau Marti Objets et Mondes, VII:4, 1967 These fascinating ceremonial blades on these hwi reflect the tribal animist traditions and often facets of the West African Vodun religion. This does appear to be a French briquette sword as noted by Kubur, and these were around latter 18th century, well into the 19th. They were replaced my a gladius type sword M1831 but both seem concurrent in 1830s. The hilt on this one seems likely 2nd Empire c.1854+ While the French did not colonize Dahomey until 1872, I have researched hwi which were collected there c 1856 by French officers. Fascinating example reflecting the Dahoman traditions coupled with French colonial situations, and great historical possibilities,