Do you know what this is?

Radu Transylvanicus · 9th January 2006, 08:51 AM

This is a contemporary Dogon tribe knife from southern Mali, western Africa. Tourist market is flourishing with many of them ending in USA as souvenirs or “accent pieces”. Dogon people are more for famous for their skill in creating ceremonial masks than edged weaponry.

Zan · 10th January 2006, 01:04 AM

Hi,

Radu is perfectly right : it is a typical Dogon knife. This fascinating tribe limited to Mali is one of the only in Western Africa with preserved way of life, traditions and belief. Most still live in simple villages the same way their ancestors do.

Their cosmology and their masks' society is much interesting and known, but there is almost nothing about their edged weapons. I have visited a Dogon museum in Mali where there was a saif and a Manding sword... from their enemys. It is a pacific tribe, wich was looking for unatteinable cliff edges to settle yo avoid conflicts. But they do have some interesting traditionnal utilitarian knifes.

I will soon post two typical Dogon knifes.

Zan

Zan · 10th January 2006, 01:13 AM

This one was the personal knife of a seller in a small Dogon village. He had not a single knife to sell, so he sold is own.

Mens use to wear at least one of those tiny knifes. Older mens were seen with two or three of them, hanging from a leather bag. Each one has apparently is own utility.

It has the typical red and black triangular patterns on the scabbard, and a very simple double-edged blade (wich is now cleaned, don't worry!).

Zan

Zan · 10th January 2006, 01:31 AM

This much more bigger knife represents the women's one. The handle depicts a women in the distinctive Dogon's style. The blade is also double-edged and of local origin.

Womens use this kind of knife to prepare food. One night when I was in another village, our pork meat supper has been prepared using a similar knife. It is a very impressive utilitarian knife in the experienced hands

Sincerely,

Zan

Alan62 · 13th January 2006, 12:58 AM

Very Nice Knives Zan
Thank You for the information

Tim Simmons · 13th January 2006, 07:14 AM

Really nice!!!

9th January 2006, 08:51 AM	#1
Radu Transylvanicus Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 2008-2010 Bali, 1998-2008 USA Posts: 271	This is a contemporary Dogon tribe knife from southern Mali, western Africa. Tourist market is flourishing with many of them ending in USA as souvenirs or “accent pieces”. Dogon people are more for famous for their skill in creating ceremonial masks than edged weaponry. Last edited by Radu Transylvanicus; 9th January 2006 at 11:58 AM.

10th January 2006, 01:04 AM	#2
Zan Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montréal, Province of Québec, Canada Posts: 46	Dogons Hi, Radu is perfectly right : it is a typical Dogon knife. This fascinating tribe limited to Mali is one of the only in Western Africa with preserved way of life, traditions and belief. Most still live in simple villages the same way their ancestors do. Their cosmology and their masks' society is much interesting and known, but there is almost nothing about their edged weapons. I have visited a Dogon museum in Mali where there was a saif and a Manding sword... from their enemys. It is a pacific tribe, wich was looking for unatteinable cliff edges to settle yo avoid conflicts. But they do have some interesting traditionnal utilitarian knifes. I will soon post two typical Dogon knifes. Zan

10th January 2006, 01:13 AM	#3
Zan Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montréal, Province of Québec, Canada Posts: 46	Small Dogon knife This one was the personal knife of a seller in a small Dogon village. He had not a single knife to sell, so he sold is own. Mens use to wear at least one of those tiny knifes. Older mens were seen with two or three of them, hanging from a leather bag. Each one has apparently is own utility. It has the typical red and black triangular patterns on the scabbard, and a very simple double-edged blade (wich is now cleaned, don't worry!). Zan Attached Images

10th January 2006, 01:31 AM	#4
Zan Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montréal, Province of Québec, Canada Posts: 46	Women's Dogon knife This much more bigger knife represents the women's one. The handle depicts a women in the distinctive Dogon's style. The blade is also double-edged and of local origin. Womens use this kind of knife to prepare food. One night when I was in another village, our pork meat supper has been prepared using a similar knife. It is a very impressive utilitarian knife in the experienced hands Sincerely, Zan Attached Images

13th January 2006, 12:58 AM	#5
Alan62 Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 164	Very Nice Knives Zan Thank You for the information

13th January 2006, 07:14 AM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Really nice!!!