Mystery sword for ID

DaveA · 4th April 2013, 12:27 PM

Gosh I love this place

Jim McDougall · 5th April 2013, 05:37 AM

Me too Dave

!!

As observed this is a traditional Mandingo sabre which typically seem situated in regions in Mali, but of course could reach into many contiguous areas (map of 1906 attached). I was once told by a Fulani tribesman that these in his language were termed 'kata' and the scabbard was called 'holga'(=house).
I cannot see too clearly the blade, but it looks pretty old, and it seems that these were most often mounted with vintage French military sabre blades, though I have seen some with other. Like most other North African swords, these were typically remounted generation to generation, and blades travelled the trade routes. The Mandingo tribes are known to have often situated near these trade routes and many were known as 'dyula' (=merchants) which of course accounts for the availability of blades for these.

4th April 2013, 12:27 PM	#1
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 415	Thanks! Gosh I love this place

5th April 2013, 05:37 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	Me too Dave !! As observed this is a traditional Mandingo sabre which typically seem situated in regions in Mali, but of course could reach into many contiguous areas (map of 1906 attached). I was once told by a Fulani tribesman that these in his language were termed 'kata' and the scabbard was called 'holga'(=house). I cannot see too clearly the blade, but it looks pretty old, and it seems that these were most often mounted with vintage French military sabre blades, though I have seen some with other. Like most other North African swords, these were typically remounted generation to generation, and blades travelled the trade routes. The Mandingo tribes are known to have often situated near these trade routes and many were known as 'dyula' (=merchants) which of course accounts for the availability of blades for these. Attached Images