The Manding sword, the Tuareg aljuinar and Omani curved kattara: Are they connected?

CharlesS · 30th March 2019, 10:57 PM

There is quite literally a geographical crescent encompassing the Manding to Oman. Islam and trade tie the entire region together. Remember Mansa Musa traveled all the way from Timbuktu to Mecca for his haj with an entourage of thousands in the 14th century. I think it is absolutely logical to see a geographical and cultural precedent for a connection between the blades of these cultures. I believe the influence, in this case, would have flowed primarily from east to west.

Jim McDougall · 31st March 2019, 02:04 AM

Thank you so much Charles! I had not thought of that key instance and while obviously much earlier than the time period of these sabres, it surely sets the precedent. Now to more research

kahnjar1 · 31st March 2019, 05:31 AM

Interesting thread Jim. There is no doubt that the hilt style of Manding swords closely resembles those of Oman. Trade in the "early days" no doubt would have had some bearing on similarity of styles.
I have attached a pic of a Manding sword which I have. While the blade is quite short, and straight, the hilt is guardless and resembles very closely those of Oman.
Stu

CharlesS · 31st March 2019, 12:07 PM

Jim,

Here is a map to help corroborate your thesis/inquiry. Unfortunately, it does not extend as far as Oman, but the route to Arabia is clearly shown.

CharlesS · 31st March 2019, 12:27 PM

This map is more extensive and shows the trade routes as known/established during the time of the Abbasids.

CharlesS · 31st March 2019, 12:52 PM

Here is a map of the Omani Empire ca. 1856. The Omani style "nimcha" and the kattara were seen among Arab influenced Muslim populations all along the east coast of Africa including Madagascar and Zanzibar.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 31st March 2019, 01:01 PM

This thread is a most welcome research document and shows very clear proof by the maps and the sword geometry of the two styles. My question has always been which way around was the influence? It is interesting that the pilgrim routes made famous by Mendinka caravans to Mecca attracted much attention from Arab Muslims and that a lot of a trade was linked and grew to a pinnacle in the 18th and 19thC in the critical period of Saaid Sultan of Zanzibar and Sultan Bargash etc after him> . Where I think the important junction is focusses on The Falls region thus I draw attention to TipuTib:Below... Half Swahili Half Omani Governor of that massive central African region > The trade I speak of is Slavery....and peripheral to it the Ivory and Rhino situation centred on the Zanzibar Hub.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 31st March 2019, 02:08 PM

With Omani Long Hilts in mind it may be worth observing who was using what types of sword in and around the Zanzibar Hub. since we are talking about the Omanis or Africans here is a sketch of Africans at Zanzibar in a frenzied dance with weapons. thus curved weapons were available in the post Saiid bin Sultan era at Zanzibar ...none of these irregulars appear as Omani or with the commonly carried sword of the Omani contingent ...but the weapon was there having arrived with such slavers as Mendinka or traded down the line ...thus they must have rubbed shoulders with Omani traders and slavers so that technical transfer of these weapons must have been possible and thus the movement of the Omani longhilt on to Mendinka weapons.

Jim McDougall · 31st March 2019, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Interesting thread Jim. There is no doubt that the hilt style of Manding swords closely resembles those of Oman. Trade in the "early days" no doubt would have had some bearing on similarity of styles.
I have attached a pic of a Manding sword which I have. While the blade is quite short, and straight, the hilt is guardless and resembles very closely those of Oman.
Stu

Thank you Stu!
This curious similarity has perplexed me for many years, and I could never really get a good 'read' on the idea of sort of 'connecting the dots'. Now with this being a very well seasoned venue of weapons investigation thanks to all the years we have all worked together on these mysteries....we are much better at getting to the bottom of them.

This straight version of these West African swords which has of course similarities to the Manding, but has the kaskara like blade (central three fullers). These I have thought associated with straight blade swords of Sierra Leone (often termed 'slavers swords' from the 'slave coast'). The leather work of Manding character seems to often broaden the geographic scope of these similar but slightly varied types.
I added a picture of one of these with the three fuller blade from 2008...…...in the thread I got a good chuckle from our late friend Vandoo…..when he quipped it looked like the sword of Karis from "The Mummy"

because of the mummified wrap.

Charles thank you again for these most helpful maps and photos, which really get us in line with much of the Omani sector which Ibrahiim has noted as well. This is all as I mentioned, key in connecting the dots literally across Africa in looking into the relationships of these varying swords.

CharlesS · 31st March 2019, 05:10 PM

Ibrahim,

The photo of Tibu Tib is awesome, but I not a fan of your second posted pic. That one imho is too stylized and doesn't represent hardly a pretense of accuracy in the weapons depicted, and probably not much better with the people. In fact, the sword in the hand of the fellow to the lower left could practically be a samurai sword! Even the super rare Madagascar round-ish shield(which is what I am assuming he is attempting to render here) is poorly done.

Like you, am thrilled to see this topic pop up as well!

CharlesS · 31st March 2019, 05:17 PM

Jim,

In the pic attached you can see one guard with a straight kattara, and another guard to the far right with his hand over what must surely be an Omani style nimcha or the style that collectors like to call the Zanzibar/Madagascar sword or "nimcha".

Jim McDougall · 31st March 2019, 10:23 PM

Interesting rendering by W. Churchill posted by Ibrahiim, and this man was apparently the brother of the British Council in office in Zanzibar 1867-70.
While it is of course quite likely there is a degree of artistic license in the drawing of this rather wild assembly of characters, it does seem that there was some effort toward accuracy in that the hilt of what looks like that of a 'nimcha' is see held aloft by one central figure.

The curved swords shown of course seem pretty generic, as typically the case in these kinds of drawings which simply are for effect, but the point carried is that there were curved sabres present, not just the familiar straight Omani swords.
Charles this is displayed in the photo you show in the previous post, that there were clearly numerous styles of swords at hand in this bustling entrepot in these times.

The shield noted as of a Madagascar type seems interesting, and though I really don't know shields well, it may be equally 'licensed' as are the swords. I am sure that in the busy enterprise in Zanzibar with trade from many sources brought weaponry and goods of wide array into materials handled.

I think one of the most interesting elements of the Churchill drawing is the possibility that this may be a loose interpretation of the Razha sword dance typically performed with the straight blade Omani sword, but using curved swords. This emphasizes the potential for curved bladed swords of Omani form being carried into the trade routes going into the interior, and from there into the networks toward the Sahara, and Manding regions.

31st March 2019, 05:31 AM	#3
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,799	Interesting thread Jim. There is no doubt that the hilt style of Manding swords closely resembles those of Oman. Trade in the "early days" no doubt would have had some bearing on similarity of styles. I have attached a pic of a Manding sword which I have. While the blade is quite short, and straight, the hilt is guardless and resembles very closely those of Oman. Stu Attached Images

31st March 2019, 12:07 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Jim, Here is a map to help corroborate your thesis/inquiry. Unfortunately, it does not extend as far as Oman, but the route to Arabia is clearly shown. Attached Images Last edited by CharlesS; 31st March 2019 at 12:25 PM.

31st March 2019, 12:27 PM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	This map is more extensive and shows the trade routes as known/established during the time of the Abbasids. Attached Images

31st March 2019, 12:52 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Here is a map of the Omani Empire ca. 1856. The Omani style "nimcha" and the kattara were seen among Arab influenced Muslim populations all along the east coast of Africa including Madagascar and Zanzibar. Attached Images Last edited by CharlesS; 31st March 2019 at 01:14 PM.

31st March 2019, 01:01 PM	#7
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	This thread is a most welcome research document and shows very clear proof by the maps and the sword geometry of the two styles. My question has always been which way around was the influence? It is interesting that the pilgrim routes made famous by Mendinka caravans to Mecca attracted much attention from Arab Muslims and that a lot of a trade was linked and grew to a pinnacle in the 18th and 19thC in the critical period of Saaid Sultan of Zanzibar and Sultan Bargash etc after him> . Where I think the important junction is focusses on The Falls region thus I draw attention to TipuTib:Below... Half Swahili Half Omani Governor of that massive central African region > The trade I speak of is Slavery....and peripheral to it the Ivory and Rhino situation centred on the Zanzibar Hub. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 31st March 2019 at 02:00 PM.

30th March 2019, 10:57 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	There is quite literally a geographical crescent encompassing the Manding to Oman. Islam and trade tie the entire region together. Remember Mansa Musa traveled all the way from Timbuktu to Mecca for his haj with an entourage of thousands in the 14th century. I think it is absolutely logical to see a geographical and cultural precedent for a connection between the blades of these cultures. I believe the influence, in this case, would have flowed primarily from east to west.

31st March 2019, 02:04 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	Thank you so much Charles! I had not thought of that key instance and while obviously much earlier than the time period of these sabres, it surely sets the precedent. Now to more research

31st March 2019, 02:08 PM	#8
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	With Omani Long Hilts in mind it may be worth observing who was using what types of sword in and around the Zanzibar Hub. since we are talking about the Omanis or Africans here is a sketch of Africans at Zanzibar in a frenzied dance with weapons. thus curved weapons were available in the post Saiid bin Sultan era at Zanzibar ...none of these irregulars appear as Omani or with the commonly carried sword of the Omani contingent ...but the weapon was there having arrived with such slavers as Mendinka or traded down the line ...thus they must have rubbed shoulders with Omani traders and slavers so that technical transfer of these weapons must have been possible and thus the movement of the Omani longhilt on to Mendinka weapons. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 31st March 2019 at 02:18 PM.

31st March 2019, 05:10 PM	#10
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Ibrahim, The photo of Tibu Tib is awesome, but I not a fan of your second posted pic. That one imho is too stylized and doesn't represent hardly a pretense of accuracy in the weapons depicted, and probably not much better with the people. In fact, the sword in the hand of the fellow to the lower left could practically be a samurai sword! Even the super rare Madagascar round-ish shield(which is what I am assuming he is attempting to render here) is poorly done. Like you, am thrilled to see this topic pop up as well! Attached Images

31st March 2019, 05:17 PM	#11
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Jim, In the pic attached you can see one guard with a straight kattara, and another guard to the far right with his hand over what must surely be an Omani style nimcha or the style that collectors like to call the Zanzibar/Madagascar sword or "nimcha". Attached Images

31st March 2019, 10:23 PM	#12
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	Interesting rendering by W. Churchill posted by Ibrahiim, and this man was apparently the brother of the British Council in office in Zanzibar 1867-70. While it is of course quite likely there is a degree of artistic license in the drawing of this rather wild assembly of characters, it does seem that there was some effort toward accuracy in that the hilt of what looks like that of a 'nimcha' is see held aloft by one central figure. The curved swords shown of course seem pretty generic, as typically the case in these kinds of drawings which simply are for effect, but the point carried is that there were curved sabres present, not just the familiar straight Omani swords. Charles this is displayed in the photo you show in the previous post, that there were clearly numerous styles of swords at hand in this bustling entrepot in these times. The shield noted as of a Madagascar type seems interesting, and though I really don't know shields well, it may be equally 'licensed' as are the swords. I am sure that in the busy enterprise in Zanzibar with trade from many sources brought weaponry and goods of wide array into materials handled. I think one of the most interesting elements of the Churchill drawing is the possibility that this may be a loose interpretation of the Razha sword dance typically performed with the straight blade Omani sword, but using curved swords. This emphasizes the potential for curved bladed swords of Omani form being carried into the trade routes going into the interior, and from there into the networks toward the Sahara, and Manding regions.