Sudanese kaskara - Arabic translation request

[Dom]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Could someone kindly assist in translating the Arabic on this kaskara.

Hi Colin
unfortunately, the text written with the aphabet Arabic, should be in Sudanese dialect
unreadable, for an Arabic speaker of Arabic classic language,
you must found a Sudanese able to read his dialectal language
despite this, it has been determined, that it was a poem,
the translation is roughly impossible excepted some words related to religious invocations, as well as
"Rasul Allah" either "God's Prophet" ... "Allah" either "God"
absolutely sorry

any way, I think my "Brother Lotfi", has not been more fortunate in his attempt of translation

à +

Dom

[colin henshaw]

Hi Dom

Thanks anyway for your efforts on translation. Any Sudanese in the forum ?

Glad the kaskara has produced so much interest - its a thick, heavy old blade, with beautiful script. Might be native made ? but difficult to say 100% (refer my previous posts on this subject). The engravings of the lion, orb and script may have been by the same hand. The crossguard probably forged.

Regards.

Originally Posted by Dom

Hi Colin
unfortunately, the text written with the aphabet Arabic, should be in Sudanese dialect
unreadable, for an Arabic speaker of Arabic classic language,
you must found a Sudanese able to read his dialectal language
despite this, it has been determined, that it was a poem,
the translation is roughly impossible excepted some words related to religious invocations, as well as
"Rasul Allah" either "God's Prophet" ... "Allah" either "God"
absolutely sorry

any way, I think my "Brother Lotfi", has not been more fortunate in his attempt of translation

à +

Dom

[A.alnakkas]

Hello guys,

Sorry its taking me a while to translate this. I am busy with my mid terms so studying and other stuff are taking my time. Promise to translate what I can once am free :-)

[A.alnakkas]

I think its a poem by doing a superficial reading.

It also contains a reference to Imam Ali (La fata ella Ali Alkaraar, wa la saif ela thul Fiqar.) The interesting part about this reference is that it contains Alkaraar, which is a title to Imam Ali that means: the Slayer. I never seen it on a blade :-)

Edit: interesting find is that the Imam Ali reference has a grammatical mistake, replacing La with Ma (Ma fata ella Ali.. wa ma saif ela thul fiqar).. its strange how the scribe will make such a mistake while writing a poem.. hmm

More later

[stephen wood]

...could the quite calligraphic lion refer to Ali?

[A.alnakkas]

No idea, maybe. The poem itself mention lion often. Just the problem with such caligraphy is that one shouldnt rush to translate it on first sight.

[A.alnakkas]

Hey guys,

So I finished mid terms, think I did alright :-)

I managed to read the poem and understand the words, but this poem is using a very good classical arabic, I wont try to translate it emmediately as I may get the meaning completely wrong. For now, I am trying to find the poem on the internet to try to understand it more.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by stephen wood

...could the quite calligraphic lion refer to Ali?

These stylized lions are taken from certain mid 19th century Solingen markings and as perceived tribally were seen as representing a brave warrior, much as various markings meanings were adopted and transcribed into thier symbolism. These markings also seen in Saharan takouba.

[Dom]

Hi
without prejudice, just an idea that comes as well
the lion is associated with "Assad Allah of Isphahan" famous swordsmith
"Assad Allah" (the Lion of God)
and signed ... with a "lion" brand that was taken, copied, and even abused,
the stamp was so ... too much famous
...why not been exported and used on Sudan,
as has been done in ... India

never forget that,
in the Arabic the word "Prestige", it's translated by ... "Prestige"
it's so important in society ... trust me

à +

Dom