Sudanese axe types

colin henshaw · 19th March 2013, 11:03 PM

Hi Iain

The only thing I can think of are...the various wooden throwing sticks/clubs from that area, but they are not really "axes".

Jim McDougall · 20th March 2013, 03:37 AM

Hi Iain,
I think Colin is right, I found this:

"..the Fur usually carry a quiver full of barbed throwing spears and a knife, but thier most distinctive weapon is the safaroq (pl. safariq) or throwing stick, made from the roots of inderab or kutr bush. Practically every Fur carries these and they are most expert in thier use. They chiefly emply them for killing hares and guinea fowl, but when the occasion rises, for injuring the legs of the horses ridden by thier foes".

"A History of the Arabs in the Sudan"
Vol. 1 (Darfur) p.113, H.A.MacMichael 1922 (1967)

It seems like this tactic corresponds with typical Hadendoa and other Sudanese warriors who often used the kaskara in hamstringing horses.

All the best,
Jim

Iain · 20th March 2013, 10:39 AM

Hi Colin and Jim,

Well that didn't take long to clear up! All makes sense now. The word "axe" is just what confused me.

Attached a photo of what the subject item should be then. Circa 1965.

Many thanks for helping clear the fog out of my brain and seeing this for what it is.

Jim McDougall · 20th March 2013, 04:55 PM

Iain, that looks remarkably like the simple line representations shown in MacMillan. Wonder how Nicolle could have interpolated the word axe?

Iain · 20th March 2013, 05:01 PM

Hi Jim,

Only thing I can think of is that the curve in the throwing stick reminded him of an axe shape?

To be fair, my understanding is that some of these were indeed used like a club and not exclusively thrown. Much like the metal Ingessana throwing knives - which were apparently cappable of being thrown but demonstrated as more of a sword-like weapon see Ingessana Throwing Knives (Sudan) M. C. Jedrej Anthropos , Bd. 70, H. 1./2. (1975), pp. 42-48.

Best,

Iain

Tim Simmons · 20th March 2013, 05:50 PM

I think this is one.

Luc LEFEBVRE · 21st March 2013, 07:18 PM

Description:
A man (identified as Sirdal) holding a large hide shield covering his body with two spears behind it, as well as a luin (Arabic, trombash) or throwing stick in his right hand held by his side. The long building with small windows to his side is identified as a rest-house (possibly hospital related) at the settlement of Baw (wisko).
Photographer:
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
Date of Photo:
1926 November - December
Region:
Blue Nile Tabi Hills Baw
Group:
Ingessana (Gaam)
PITT RIVERS MUSEUM

20th March 2013, 10:39 AM	#3
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	Hi Colin and Jim, Well that didn't take long to clear up! All makes sense now. The word "axe" is just what confused me. Attached a photo of what the subject item should be then. Circa 1965. Many thanks for helping clear the fog out of my brain and seeing this for what it is. Attached Images

20th March 2013, 05:50 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,890	I think this is one. Attached Images

21st March 2013, 07:18 PM	#7
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Description: A man (identified as Sirdal) holding a large hide shield covering his body with two spears behind it, as well as a luin (Arabic, trombash) or throwing stick in his right hand held by his side. The long building with small windows to his side is identified as a rest-house (possibly hospital related) at the settlement of Baw (wisko). Photographer: Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard Date of Photo: 1926 November - December Region: Blue Nile Tabi Hills Baw Group: Ingessana (Gaam) PITT RIVERS MUSEUM Attached Images

19th March 2013, 11:03 PM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	Hi Iain The only thing I can think of are...the various wooden throwing sticks/clubs from that area, but they are not really "axes".

20th March 2013, 03:37 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,585	Hi Iain, I think Colin is right, I found this: "..the Fur usually carry a quiver full of barbed throwing spears and a knife, but thier most distinctive weapon is the safaroq (pl. safariq) or throwing stick, made from the roots of inderab or kutr bush. Practically every Fur carries these and they are most expert in thier use. They chiefly emply them for killing hares and guinea fowl, but when the occasion rises, for injuring the legs of the horses ridden by thier foes". "A History of the Arabs in the Sudan" Vol. 1 (Darfur) p.113, H.A.MacMichael 1922 (1967) It seems like this tactic corresponds with typical Hadendoa and other Sudanese warriors who often used the kaskara in hamstringing horses. All the best, Jim

20th March 2013, 04:55 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,585	Iain, that looks remarkably like the simple line representations shown in MacMillan. Wonder how Nicolle could have interpolated the word axe?

20th March 2013, 05:01 PM	#5
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	Hi Jim, Only thing I can think of is that the curve in the throwing stick reminded him of an axe shape? To be fair, my understanding is that some of these were indeed used like a club and not exclusively thrown. Much like the metal Ingessana throwing knives - which were apparently cappable of being thrown but demonstrated as more of a sword-like weapon see Ingessana Throwing Knives (Sudan) M. C. Jedrej Anthropos , Bd. 70, H. 1./2. (1975), pp. 42-48. Best, Iain