Is that a Hadendoa

Jim McDougall · 2nd July 2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephen wood

...yes, it looks like a Beja Dagger. The stick in his hair is a Beja custon I think.

Actually the stick in the hair was there for a very practical reason, for scratching the scalp through the profuse mane of hair.

Just another addendum, in Fischer & Zirngible, the X hilt dagger is shown with the hooked point as Hadendoa (Beni Amer). The Beni Amer were of course one of the number of Hadendoa tribes. In retrospect, I am wondering if the Afar reference made by the gentleman I mentioned concerning these type blades might have meant 'seen in Afar regions', in which case those carrying them might have been Beni Amer.

Just wanted to add what I can to make this thread more useful for the readers

stephen wood · 8th July 2010, 09:54 PM

...those are amulets on his arm - I once saw a kaskara with them attached to the scabbard.

David R · 13th February 2012, 08:59 PM

I know this is a dormant/dead thread, but didn't know where else relevant to post it. I recently came into possession of a Sudanese arm dagger, no scabbard alas, that needed a bit of repair, and so scoured the forums here for info.
While surfing through all the posts on these, I remembered a conversation I had 36 years ago with a very old boy called Max, who had been an assistant district commissioner in the Sudan in the 1920's. Among other things he said that the extreme curve on one style of knife was to facilitate its use to cut forage for camels. The knife would be tied to a shaft of some sort and used to cut/hook foliage from trees. He had many stories of his time out there and was happy to share them. Long gone now alas, and his anecdotes with him.

Jim McDougall · 14th February 2012, 03:22 PM

David, thank you so much for adding this valuable information! That is outstanding to know on these curious hooked blades and perfectly explains why these unusual features often are seen on some of these weapons. I think often there is a inherent tendancy to always try to imagine the combat uses of ethnographic weapons, but we forget the also very important utility uses for them as well.
Well done! and thank you again. I always hope others reading will add these kinds of information to these threads as they are indeed resources for all of us and those who will follow.

All the very best,
Jim

Rick · 14th February 2012, 03:48 PM

And I have just finished uploading the linked pictures in this thread to the database for posterity and continuity .

13th February 2012, 08:59 PM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,120	Info from an old boy. I know this is a dormant/dead thread, but didn't know where else relevant to post it. I recently came into possession of a Sudanese arm dagger, no scabbard alas, that needed a bit of repair, and so scoured the forums here for info. While surfing through all the posts on these, I remembered a conversation I had 36 years ago with a very old boy called Max, who had been an assistant district commissioner in the Sudan in the 1920's. Among other things he said that the extreme curve on one style of knife was to facilitate its use to cut forage for camels. The knife would be tied to a shaft of some sort and used to cut/hook foliage from trees. He had many stories of his time out there and was happy to share them. Long gone now alas, and his anecdotes with him.

8th July 2010, 09:54 PM	#2
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	...those are amulets on his arm - I once saw a kaskara with them attached to the scabbard.

14th February 2012, 03:22 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	David, thank you so much for adding this valuable information! That is outstanding to know on these curious hooked blades and perfectly explains why these unusual features often are seen on some of these weapons. I think often there is a inherent tendancy to always try to imagine the combat uses of ethnographic weapons, but we forget the also very important utility uses for them as well. Well done! and thank you again. I always hope others reading will add these kinds of information to these threads as they are indeed resources for all of us and those who will follow. All the very best, Jim

14th February 2012, 03:48 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	And I have just finished uploading the linked pictures in this thread to the database for posterity and continuity .