Unearth this wierd thing at a thrift Store

Jim McDougall · 24th November 2008, 04:48 AM

OH NOOOOOO!!! Not the belly dancing sword thing again

What memories does this bring,

Rhys Michael, if memory serves from research some time ago, the word is suggested to possibly derive from the Portuguese 'castao' which I belive is correct, referring to a decorated walking stick. I'll have to check more in notes, and I think Fernando may have qualified or corrected that term.

In any case, this decorative swordlike item really has nothing to do with the true kastane from Sinhala, which is in no way associated with the 'belly dancing' performance. It seems other theatrical interpretations of swords used in these performances simulate loosely shamshirs to fantasy scimitars as well, and who can forget that 'Prince' video "Seven" !!

Uh, colorful thread though!!

All the best,
Jim

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24th November 2008, 04:48 AM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,295	OH NOOOOOO!!! Not the belly dancing sword thing again What memories does this bring, Rhys Michael, if memory serves from research some time ago, the word is suggested to possibly derive from the Portuguese 'castao' which I belive is correct, referring to a decorated walking stick. I'll have to check more in notes, and I think Fernando may have qualified or corrected that term. In any case, this decorative swordlike item really has nothing to do with the true kastane from Sinhala, which is in no way associated with the 'belly dancing' performance. It seems other theatrical interpretations of swords used in these performances simulate loosely shamshirs to fantasy scimitars as well, and who can forget that 'Prince' video "Seven" !! Uh, colorful thread though!! All the best, Jim