Omani or East Africa?

Michael Blalock · 8th May 2006, 12:40 PM

What do you think of this thing I just picked up? I believe it may be Omani but could also be an East african sword. The blade has the look of a very long jambiya, but it's hard to tell from these photos. I will post photos when I receive it.

ariel · 8th May 2006, 12:58 PM

Michael, we think alike!
I wanted to post it and to draw attention to the similarity between Manding (this one) handles and the Omani Kattara.
Oman was a major maritime power and had major influence in Africa during ~ 15-18th centuries and it is not out of question that there was a commonality in weapons. The one you got recently (broken handle, and I am not seething any more

) was an earlier variant of Kattara. Perhaps, Omanis picked up the African style for their "new and improved" model. Or, the newer variant existed in Oman for some time in parallel or as a later development and was adopted by the Africans.
No matter what, they do appear to share some common features.

Michael Blalock · 8th May 2006, 01:37 PM

After looking around on the net, I see there is no question this is Manding. Far from East Africa. See the attached photo with the same type of blade from Oriental-Arms. Not my area of collecting but it will look good on the wall. I also have a kaskara coming soon to keep it company.

Lew · 8th May 2006, 03:55 PM

Hi Michael

That is a nice Manding sword from Africa and it looks like it has a European sword blade. Is there a scabbard that goes with the sword?

Lew

8th May 2006, 12:40 PM	#1
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Omani or East Africa? What do you think of this thing I just picked up? I believe it may be Omani but could also be an East african sword. The blade has the look of a very long jambiya, but it's hard to tell from these photos. I will post photos when I receive it. Attached Images

8th May 2006, 01:37 PM	#3
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Manding After looking around on the net, I see there is no question this is Manding. Far from East Africa. See the attached photo with the same type of blade from Oriental-Arms. Not my area of collecting but it will look good on the wall. I also have a kaskara coming soon to keep it company. Attached Images Last edited by Michael Blalock; 8th May 2006 at 03:59 PM.

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8th May 2006, 12:58 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Michael, we think alike! I wanted to post it and to draw attention to the similarity between Manding (this one) handles and the Omani Kattara. Oman was a major maritime power and had major influence in Africa during ~ 15-18th centuries and it is not out of question that there was a commonality in weapons. The one you got recently (broken handle, and I am not seething any more ) was an earlier variant of Kattara. Perhaps, Omanis picked up the African style for their "new and improved" model. Or, the newer variant existed in Oman for some time in parallel or as a later development and was adopted by the Africans. No matter what, they do appear to share some common features.

8th May 2006, 03:55 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Michael That is a nice Manding sword from Africa and it looks like it has a European sword blade. Is there a scabbard that goes with the sword? Lew