iron cuirass

Iain · 31st October 2013, 08:17 PM

Certainly possible, but as you say, hard to see in that particular image. At a guess, it's actually leather banded armour (kutufi). Although your image depicts Sudanese rather than Bornu or western Sahel troops I'm more familiar with.

My own personal opinion, and this only applies for the actual cuirass you posted, is that it was worn under the lifida, as was maille.

The lifida itself is not a single element. But can be made up of several garments. Usually these consist of at least the long out jacket (bantan lifidi) and a wide band around the waist (the kumakumi).

Underneath additional padding could be worn as well. The main purpose was defense against arrows, which were typically poisoned.

31st October 2013, 08:17 PM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	Certainly possible, but as you say, hard to see in that particular image. At a guess, it's actually leather banded armour (kutufi). Although your image depicts Sudanese rather than Bornu or western Sahel troops I'm more familiar with. My own personal opinion, and this only applies for the actual cuirass you posted, is that it was worn under the lifida, as was maille. The lifida itself is not a single element. But can be made up of several garments. Usually these consist of at least the long out jacket (bantan lifidi) and a wide band around the waist (the kumakumi). Underneath additional padding could be worn as well. The main purpose was defense against arrows, which were typically poisoned.