Sort of maybe a takouba - Cameroon?

[Gavin Nugent]

A worthy and attractive addition Iain and an interesting cross pollination.

Of all the swords you have and have shown, I really do like the blade type of the Guduf examples. They seem to have a good weight to them and a thick cross section that appears all business, very nice to see this now in your favorite sword type.

Gavin

[Iain]

Hi Gav,

Thanks for the kind words. I also really like these sturdy blades.

An additional interesting feature found on both I have shown above and also every other Guduf sword I have seen is that there is a presentation side with the fullers and a mid rib, while the opposite side is completely flat. An image attached to show what I mean from my proper Guduf sword - the takouba like one is exactly the same in blade construction.

The increase in takouba use in Cameroon regions is quite probably linked with Fulani incursions into these regions in the early 19th century it would seem. I think Martin was told some similar stories "on the ground" there.