new kaskara

[Marc M.]

Originally Posted by Edster

Hi Marc,

Nice Beja kaskara. I agree it's likely European blade, but it appears much better quality than munitions grade blades supplied in the mid-late 19C. There are other Formites better qualified to characterize blades, but I'll contribute what little I can.

The type channels the Oakeshott type X style with both distal & profile tapers. The wide fuller is seldom seen on a Kaskara and when they do they usually come from Ethiopian blades. Do you see any markings under the langets that might give a clue to its origin?

The crossguard is of the older style, but not up to the wide tapers seen on Darfur types.

The tassel is likely newer than the grip cover as it shows only little wear.

I just finished re-reading "Karari, The Sudanese Account of the Battle of Omdurman" by 'Ismat Hasan Zulfo (1972-Arabic, 1980-English) Well worth reading to get a broader account of the battle from the Mahdist's perspective. It also gives a perspective on Osman Digna and his Bega fighters. They fought mainly in Eastern Sudan and participated in the Battle of Atbara. They had a minor, but famous role in the Battle of Omdurman/Karari along with W. Churchill & the 21st Lancers. He lost few warriors at either Atbara or Omdurman, and after Omdurman his men went back home. The point is your sword was likely not a battlefield pick-up or war trophy, but may have been from that era. Many Mahdist blades had votive figures and Quran quotes scratched into the blade. It was likely assembled and collected in the intervening years in Eastern Sudan between Kassala and Suakin.

Best regards,
Ed

Hi Ed
Thank you for your comment, no markings under the langet, i've read your outstanding essay about the kaskara and that on this blade type makers marks are rare, so no markings are to be expected, which makes it difficult to identify, you can only go for the quality of the forged blade.
I'm a blacksmith so i know a little bit about forging. the sellers pictures where not so clear and blade was rusted, but it looked good so i took the risk.Seller had it 15 years got it from a friend who brought it back from Sudan
Do you have any idea about the function and meaning of the tassel, the different colors (status, rank).
Best regards
Marc

[Edster]

I don't know anything about the meaning of the heavy tassel other than its the signature for the Beja swords. Although they may help with a more secure grip. They seem to look the same whether they are on simple or grips with silver. There must be tassel makers in the suk since the tassel is added after the grip treatment is complete. Colors are mainly black or sun faded to a greyish. Other kaskara sometimes sport a more stringy tassel, but they seem to be for higher end swords of the Nile Riverine tribes. You'll notice on other kaskara a maybe 1-inch section at the top of the grip, below the pommel that looks like its made for tassels regardless of style.

Take care,
Ed

[francantolin]

Congratulations for your kaskara,

A beautiful impressive sword !

as said, the blade is old and of really good quality !
It seems european , any stamp/engraving ?

[Marc M.]

Originally Posted by francantolin

Congratulations for your kaskara,

A beautiful impressive sword !

as said, the blade is old and of really good quality !
It seems european , any stamp/engraving ?

Hi Francantolin

Thanks, the blade has no markings.

Best regards
Marc

[G. Mansfield]

Nice kaskara Marc! Glad to see some more Sudanese blades on the forum. While black tassels are most common, I believe the green braided tassels suggests that the owner has performed the hajj. Also, the color green is a symbol of jannah (heaven) and life, and is the color most associated with Islam. Below, I have attached photos of a silver hilted kaskara from my collection also bearing a green tassel.

Regards,
Geoff

[Battara]

What a great piece! Love these when they are in silver and in filigree. Belonged to a noble?

[Edster]

Marc,

This is off topic, but since you are a blacksmith you no doubt have experience in applying stamps to metal. Your experience could help in identifying dates & origins of imported and locally made blades. The question: would a maker's mark or other stamp be applied with the strike of a hammer to a relative soft sword blade just after forging or after the blade had been quenched and drawn? We see marks attributed to a retailer after a European blade was imported, or maybe as fake marks to impute quality, etc. Also, some marks are a identified as rack or inventory stamps applied in an amory, etc.

Would a sword blade be softer at forte area that may not have been quenched and accept a stamp better? This may be why makers marks are often seen under langets.

Best regards,
Ed

[Marc M.]

Originally Posted by G. Mansfield

Nice kaskara Marc! Glad to see some more Sudanese blades on the forum. While black tassels are most common, I believe the green braided tassels suggests that the owner has performed the hajj. Also, the color green is a symbol of jannah (heaven) and life, and is the color most associated with Islam. Below, I have attached photos of a silver hilted kaskara from my collection also bearing a green tassel.

Regards,
Geoff

Hi geoff
Thank you for the additional info on the tassel.
The last few years i got interested in takuba and kaskara swords , also got a few armdaggers, all this beside my Kongo arm collection.
That's a very beautiful kaskara you have there, a silver one is still on my wish list.
Best regards
Marc

[Marc M.]

Originally Posted by Edster

I don't know anything about the meaning of the heavy tassel other than its the signature for the Beja swords. Although they may help with a more secure grip. They seem to look the same whether they are on simple or grips with silver. There must be tassel makers in the suk since the tassel is added after the grip treatment is complete. Colors are mainly black or sun faded to a greyish. Other kaskara sometimes sport a more stringy tassel, but they seem to be for higher end swords of the Nile Riverine tribes. You'll notice on other kaskara a maybe 1-inch section at the top of the grip, below the pommel that looks like its made for tassels regardless of style.

Take care,
Ed

Hi Ed
Thanks for the info, on one of my other kadkara the tassel and the pommel is missing but you still can see the print in the leather where the tassel was fixed on the handle. Indeed if i compair the grip between the two , the one with the tassel has a better grip, my hand has a firm grip between the crossgard and the tassel with no play.

Best regards
Marc