Algerian Knives

ariel · 2nd May 2017, 05:49 AM

Your flyssa knife may be missing coin-like "eyes" of the "dog's head".
According to Spring , they, and perhaps the entire shiny bronze handle, might serve as an allure to the "evil eye", thus distracting it from its intended target of the owner of the weapon. We can only guess the veracity of that explanation: Kabyles published very few books on the history and meaning of their weapons:-)

The so-called "wedding nimchas" were included in Charles Buttin's collection. Thus, whether they were ritual or souvenir, they were present even 100 years ago.

And, yes: just "the knife" might be the safest term. Although it might be a homage to Bu Saadi. Blade decorations are very flyssa-like.

Both it and the nimchas seem to be of recent manufacture.

2nd May 2017, 05:49 AM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Your flyssa knife may be missing coin-like "eyes" of the "dog's head". According to Spring , they, and perhaps the entire shiny bronze handle, might serve as an allure to the "evil eye", thus distracting it from its intended target of the owner of the weapon. We can only guess the veracity of that explanation: Kabyles published very few books on the history and meaning of their weapons:-) The so-called "wedding nimchas" were included in Charles Buttin's collection. Thus, whether they were ritual or souvenir, they were present even 100 years ago. And, yes: just "the knife" might be the safest term. Although it might be a homage to Bu Saadi. Blade decorations are very flyssa-like. Both it and the nimchas seem to be of recent manufacture.