Sort of maybe a takouba - Cameroon?

Martin Lubojacky · 30th December 2012, 06:52 PM

Hi Iain,
I looked at Ethno-Linguistic Map - Peoples of Africa by Charles Meur, and, combined with Google I anderstand it a little, now. So, If I unerstand well, Gulfei is small tribe (or ethnic group) next to lake Chad on Cameroonian border (strip of Cameroonian territory is very thin there, maybe cca 50 kms - between Nigeria and Chad). Gulfei are surrouned by big Kanuri tribe, Kanembu and Kotoko people, not far from Shewa Arabs on one side, and also not far from a big number of small tribes (beginning of Mandara mountains) and among them Guduf on other side. I would say Gulfei are relatively close to Guduf (from modern point of view - there are roads and you can go by car). Cameroonian grassland is also not so far to the south. Also I am of the opinion, that this territory could be the west border of the occurence of Takouba swords.

Your sword combines min 3 different ethnic signs, which meet each other on a relatively small territory - Takouba style sword (Tuareg, Fulani, Hausa and others) specific decoration of the steel blades (engraved triangles are not specific for Takouba, but are found in Kanuri territory - as we can see) - and, finally, the blade mady by Guduf. Interesting piece - and does not matter if new or old

Regards,
Martin

30th December 2012, 06:52 PM	#7
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Hi Iain, I looked at Ethno-Linguistic Map - Peoples of Africa by Charles Meur, and, combined with Google I anderstand it a little, now. So, If I unerstand well, Gulfei is small tribe (or ethnic group) next to lake Chad on Cameroonian border (strip of Cameroonian territory is very thin there, maybe cca 50 kms - between Nigeria and Chad). Gulfei are surrouned by big Kanuri tribe, Kanembu and Kotoko people, not far from Shewa Arabs on one side, and also not far from a big number of small tribes (beginning of Mandara mountains) and among them Guduf on other side. I would say Gulfei are relatively close to Guduf (from modern point of view - there are roads and you can go by car). Cameroonian grassland is also not so far to the south. Also I am of the opinion, that this territory could be the west border of the occurence of Takouba swords. Your sword combines min 3 different ethnic signs, which meet each other on a relatively small territory - Takouba style sword (Tuareg, Fulani, Hausa and others) specific decoration of the steel blades (engraved triangles are not specific for Takouba, but are found in Kanuri territory - as we can see) - and, finally, the blade mady by Guduf. Interesting piece - and does not matter if new or old Regards, Martin