Interesting takouba for discussion

Iain · 20th November 2010, 11:45 PM

Thanks for bringing that point up Jim. I looked at this one again a little more closely, usually exaggerated profiles are because of sharpening.

However this one, having looked again just now is not. Obviously designed that way.

But I have a theory.

The use of large hide shields is well established in Sahel warfare. These were typically carried by Tuaregs and also saw use in Hausa areas, although from what I have seen in very early period photos it was perhaps more a Tuareg defense than widespread among Hausa cavalry. The Tuareg by most accounts engaged in a style of swordsman ship which was primarily made up of cuts and slashes focused towards the last third of the blade (clearly evident by blunt tips and sharpening focused on the last third of the blades). They rarely wore heavier body armor from what I can tell.

However in Hausa land the cavalry adopted thick, quilted armor known as Lifidi, which was apparently very effective against arrows and probably also slashing cuts, due to the multiple layers used.

It would make perfect sense then to see a Hausa takouba adopt a piercing tip for thrusting as can be seen on arm daggers from the area. An interesting note is that the quilted armor lead to an upswing in the use of fire arrows which led to water being carried onto the battlefield expressly to douse the knights!

Jim McDougall · 21st November 2010, 05:20 AM

Thank you for explaining that Iain. I knew there was far too much time for a connection, but it seemed interesting to have the concept develop a millenia apart. Interesting on the fire arrows as well!
Excellent!

All the best,
Jim

Iain · 21st November 2010, 11:01 AM

Hi Jim,

Well that's only my theory. I could be totally off! I've attached an old post card showing similar knights. In fact, if you look closely the one is holding a takouba with plates at the base of the blade and what looks to be a similar tip. I imagine this style is less well known because unlike the Tuareg, the Hausa areas were more quick to abandon the takouba as a part of daily life. So examples are therefore more rare.

On another note... I would love some input from other forumites about the coating on the hilt. It appears to be paint - I can't imagine it's original to the sword, but added later in an attempt to conserve, but maybe I'm wrong? It looks like it's been on there for a long time.

What's the general consensus? Should it be removed? And if so, how? I've never tried removing oil based paint from brass before. I don't want to end up with super shiny brass.

Best,

Iain

21st November 2010, 11:01 AM	#3
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	Hi Jim, Well that's only my theory. I could be totally off! I've attached an old post card showing similar knights. In fact, if you look closely the one is holding a takouba with plates at the base of the blade and what looks to be a similar tip. I imagine this style is less well known because unlike the Tuareg, the Hausa areas were more quick to abandon the takouba as a part of daily life. So examples are therefore more rare. On another note... I would love some input from other forumites about the coating on the hilt. It appears to be paint - I can't imagine it's original to the sword, but added later in an attempt to conserve, but maybe I'm wrong? It looks like it's been on there for a long time. What's the general consensus? Should it be removed? And if so, how? I've never tried removing oil based paint from brass before. I don't want to end up with super shiny brass. Best, Iain Attached Images

20th November 2010, 11:45 PM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	Thanks for bringing that point up Jim. I looked at this one again a little more closely, usually exaggerated profiles are because of sharpening. However this one, having looked again just now is not. Obviously designed that way. But I have a theory. The use of large hide shields is well established in Sahel warfare. These were typically carried by Tuaregs and also saw use in Hausa areas, although from what I have seen in very early period photos it was perhaps more a Tuareg defense than widespread among Hausa cavalry. The Tuareg by most accounts engaged in a style of swordsman ship which was primarily made up of cuts and slashes focused towards the last third of the blade (clearly evident by blunt tips and sharpening focused on the last third of the blades). They rarely wore heavier body armor from what I can tell. However in Hausa land the cavalry adopted thick, quilted armor known as Lifidi, which was apparently very effective against arrows and probably also slashing cuts, due to the multiple layers used. It would make perfect sense then to see a Hausa takouba adopt a piercing tip for thrusting as can be seen on arm daggers from the area. An interesting note is that the quilted armor lead to an upswing in the use of fire arrows which led to water being carried onto the battlefield expressly to douse the knights!

21st November 2010, 05:20 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,616	Thank you for explaining that Iain. I knew there was far too much time for a connection, but it seemed interesting to have the concept develop a millenia apart. Interesting on the fire arrows as well! Excellent! All the best, Jim