Dahomean sword of Amazon warriors

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 03:04 PM

Thank you Changdao!
Its funny, my son and I were just talking about the colonial era, and how the Europeans regarded the native peoples as 'savages', I think more toward the differences of course in religion and culture obviously. The notion that the natives were not 'advanced' enough to forge metal etc.was patently ridiculous, as you point out, and ironically (no pun intended) much of the abstracts of such knowledge became the basis for the advances in the Middle East and Asia.

The note on ranges of quality, and the variations in metal content, like those of the actual weapon form and elements, depended much on the local preferences and requirements as well as skills of the smiths. The evolving use of European blades was far more a matter of convenience in the colonial progression than any inadequacy of African blades.

The reason I posted this is partly from a 'bucket list' standpoint as I go through items collected over many years, and while much research has transpired on most......it is virtually a new world with expanded horizons in available material, resources and collective knowledge.
I hope to bring some of these examples into the light in hopes of others out there reading who have also studied in these areas to bring in examples, comparisons and add comments on these areas of history.

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Yesterday, 03:04 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,295	Thank you Changdao! Its funny, my son and I were just talking about the colonial era, and how the Europeans regarded the native peoples as 'savages', I think more toward the differences of course in religion and culture obviously. The notion that the natives were not 'advanced' enough to forge metal etc.was patently ridiculous, as you point out, and ironically (no pun intended) much of the abstracts of such knowledge became the basis for the advances in the Middle East and Asia. The note on ranges of quality, and the variations in metal content, like those of the actual weapon form and elements, depended much on the local preferences and requirements as well as skills of the smiths. The evolving use of European blades was far more a matter of convenience in the colonial progression than any inadequacy of African blades. The reason I posted this is partly from a 'bucket list' standpoint as I go through items collected over many years, and while much research has transpired on most......it is virtually a new world with expanded horizons in available material, resources and collective knowledge. I hope to bring some of these examples into the light in hopes of others out there reading who have also studied in these areas to bring in examples, comparisons and add comments on these areas of history.