Mossi sword

Jim McDougall · 20th October 2011, 03:18 AM

It seems like this Mossi sword is most likely to represent zoomorphically the hornbill bird, according to discussions we had in 2008 either on an example identical, or perhaps this may be the same sword. Much as seems to be the case in these Saharan tribal cultures, the blacksmith/sculptors were a separate caste, and feared in thier mystery and secretive ways. Still they were instrumental in rituals and apparantly the hornbill symbolically represented knowledge of secrets.
As brass figures (these smiths were skilled workers in these metals as Iain has noted) were key to validating power, perhaps this sabre was used as a representation of either a royal figure or a member in the court. Brass hilted swords with European type hilts are known of course in regalia status in Nigeria (Bivar's work on that country's weapons). I very much agree with Iain, and there seems to be a range of influences in the weapons of the Mossi, and I have seen some rather large bearing type swords with geometric motif similar to other tribal groups in the Sahara including Tuareg.

Gavin Nugent · 20th October 2011, 03:37 AM

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=jackel

This may help in the discussions.

Gav

Mauro · 20th October 2011, 11:59 PM

Hi Ian, many thank to share the interesting old photo of the Mossi warriors. I also collect postcard trying to get visible information on these old items.
Also thanks to Jim and especially to freebooter that find the previous thread on this sword. Therefore after a long series of suggestions regarding the animal depicted in the sculpture I added another one suggesting it is a sheep !! It is also nice to realize how this sword was found among Dogon and later it turns to be Mossi. I really enjoyed the previous thread that unfortunately I had not see previously. I did not supposed that it was already described and discussed. Thanks to everybody

Iain · 21st October 2011, 11:01 PM

I also didn't recall that other old thread. Very interesting reading.

Does look a bit like a sheep! But I'd vote jackal myself.

Cheers,

Iain

20th October 2011, 03:18 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	It seems like this Mossi sword is most likely to represent zoomorphically the hornbill bird, according to discussions we had in 2008 either on an example identical, or perhaps this may be the same sword. Much as seems to be the case in these Saharan tribal cultures, the blacksmith/sculptors were a separate caste, and feared in thier mystery and secretive ways. Still they were instrumental in rituals and apparantly the hornbill symbolically represented knowledge of secrets. As brass figures (these smiths were skilled workers in these metals as Iain has noted) were key to validating power, perhaps this sabre was used as a representation of either a royal figure or a member in the court. Brass hilted swords with European type hilts are known of course in regalia status in Nigeria (Bivar's work on that country's weapons). I very much agree with Iain, and there seems to be a range of influences in the weapons of the Mossi, and I have seen some rather large bearing type swords with geometric motif similar to other tribal groups in the Sahara including Tuareg.

20th October 2011, 03:37 AM	#2
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=jackel This may help in the discussions. Gav

20th October 2011, 11:59 PM	#3
Mauro Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 83	Hi Ian, many thank to share the interesting old photo of the Mossi warriors. I also collect postcard trying to get visible information on these old items. Also thanks to Jim and especially to freebooter that find the previous thread on this sword. Therefore after a long series of suggestions regarding the animal depicted in the sculpture I added another one suggesting it is a sheep !! It is also nice to realize how this sword was found among Dogon and later it turns to be Mossi. I really enjoyed the previous thread that unfortunately I had not see previously. I did not supposed that it was already described and discussed. Thanks to everybody

21st October 2011, 11:01 PM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	I also didn't recall that other old thread. Very interesting reading. Does look a bit like a sheep! But I'd vote jackal myself. Cheers, Iain