old sabre

Jim McDougall · 25th October 2017, 11:38 PM

Excellent points! no forte on locally made blades! That one I completely forgot, and is a great indicator. It always amazes me that it seems so commonly held that native makers were producers of crudely made blades, at least to those relatively uninitiated in ethnographic weapons.

It is always interesting as well to see the notion that certain swords or types of weapons were restricted to certain tribes or groups, as well as to certain geographic regions. As Kubur has noted, influences and features of various weapons are often amalgamated into what frustrated collectors often regard as variants.
While obviously we can largely classify certain forms to the regions where they have propensity, however movements of ethic groups through diaphanous borders which are the thing of maps remind me of the sage axiom. .... "weapons have no geographic borders".

Roanoa, as always, your insight into the weaponry of these regions is great as you have been key in the study of this field for so many years.

Interesting use of what may be a cartridge when the use of coins have always seemed to dominate this place on hilts of these regions.

Martin Lubojacky · 26th October 2017, 06:55 AM

Thank you Roanoa for the additional pictures. I will investigate a little bit re. the origin. Till now I was of the opinnion that Galla was old name for Oromo ?

roanoa · 28th October 2017, 04:12 PM

You are right, Martin. The Galla are in fact Oromo. I tend to use Galla for the more "primitive" clans within the Oromo ethnic group. At least up to and including the Italian invasion of Ethiopia of 1935/36 when many Galla clans (like the Azebo) sided with the Italian.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 1st November 2017, 11:31 AM

Another sketch perhaps offering a clue...

see https://www.shutterstock.com/image-p...reatd-76884388

25th October 2017, 11:38 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	Excellent points! no forte on locally made blades! That one I completely forgot, and is a great indicator. It always amazes me that it seems so commonly held that native makers were producers of crudely made blades, at least to those relatively uninitiated in ethnographic weapons. It is always interesting as well to see the notion that certain swords or types of weapons were restricted to certain tribes or groups, as well as to certain geographic regions. As Kubur has noted, influences and features of various weapons are often amalgamated into what frustrated collectors often regard as variants. While obviously we can largely classify certain forms to the regions where they have propensity, however movements of ethic groups through diaphanous borders which are the thing of maps remind me of the sage axiom. .... "weapons have no geographic borders". Roanoa, as always, your insight into the weaponry of these regions is great as you have been key in the study of this field for so many years. Interesting use of what may be a cartridge when the use of coins have always seemed to dominate this place on hilts of these regions.

26th October 2017, 06:55 AM	#2
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Thank you Roanoa for the additional pictures. I will investigate a little bit re. the origin. Till now I was of the opinnion that Galla was old name for Oromo ?

28th October 2017, 04:12 PM	#3
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	You are right, Martin. The Galla are in fact Oromo. I tend to use Galla for the more "primitive" clans within the Oromo ethnic group. At least up to and including the Italian invasion of Ethiopia of 1935/36 when many Galla clans (like the Azebo) sided with the Italian.