Early 20th Century Kaskara

Jim McDougall · 17th May 2010, 04:36 AM

Found some of my notes, and apparantly this motif has to do with astronomical events, which seems to correspond with other markings that are focused on a comet event, as yet more details are unclear. The use of these crescents in motif is described by Graham Reed in his article on Darfur kaskaras.
The discoid pommel on this would have been leather covered, and the 20th century period is confirmed by blades with this type motif seen by the author in travels to Darfur sometime before 1987. These blades are typically heirlooms and refurbished from generation to generation, so just how far back they go of course may vary, but certainly into the earliest years of the 20th century onward.

The inscribed panel with crescents is a representation of the wooden board carrying such religious inscriptions that is termed a 'lohr'. Charles S. has posted one of these which also has a snake (assala=python) inscribed along with the lohr (November, 2008). I believe the inscription on that blade included the date 1796 (AH?) .

I have previously mentioned that in Darfur, the tribal chiefs and influential figures there still have kaskaras such as these that are proudly worn on certain occasions. This was told to me by a young Fur tribesman I spoke with a number of years ago.

Best regards,
Jim

stephen wood · 17th May 2010, 11:45 AM

...a very nice one, thanks for posting it.

Here are some similar ones - notice the particular shape and finish of the scabbard - quite angular.

Jim McDougall · 18th May 2010, 02:59 AM

Thank you for posting these Stephen.

17th May 2010, 11:45 AM	#2
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	...a very nice one, thanks for posting it. Here are some similar ones - notice the particular shape and finish of the scabbard - quite angular. Attached Images

17th May 2010, 04:36 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	Found some of my notes, and apparantly this motif has to do with astronomical events, which seems to correspond with other markings that are focused on a comet event, as yet more details are unclear. The use of these crescents in motif is described by Graham Reed in his article on Darfur kaskaras. The discoid pommel on this would have been leather covered, and the 20th century period is confirmed by blades with this type motif seen by the author in travels to Darfur sometime before 1987. These blades are typically heirlooms and refurbished from generation to generation, so just how far back they go of course may vary, but certainly into the earliest years of the 20th century onward. The inscribed panel with crescents is a representation of the wooden board carrying such religious inscriptions that is termed a 'lohr'. Charles S. has posted one of these which also has a snake (assala=python) inscribed along with the lohr (November, 2008). I believe the inscription on that blade included the date 1796 (AH?) . I have previously mentioned that in Darfur, the tribal chiefs and influential figures there still have kaskaras such as these that are proudly worn on certain occasions. This was told to me by a young Fur tribesman I spoke with a number of years ago. Best regards, Jim

18th May 2010, 02:59 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	Thank you for posting these Stephen.