Takouskara

Kubur · 12th July 2021, 09:35 PM

The inscriptions, different on both sides

TVV · 12th July 2021, 11:29 PM

Kubur,

Congratulations, what a spectacular sword. It is indeed very similar to the one in Hales' book. The scabbard fittings and the hilt construction are like a takouba, while the blade is more like something one would expect to find on a nice, older kaskara. Therefore a Kanem Bornu or Wadai attribution seems reasonable.

It will be interesting to see kwiatek's translation as it may hold the key.

Teodor

David R · 12th July 2021, 11:39 PM

A very nice piece indeed.

kwiatek · 13th July 2021, 01:18 AM

Nice inscription too. They are Arabic verses from al-Busiri‘s Qasidat al-Burda (Ode of the Mantle), which are common on kaskaras

SIDE A

ومن تكن برسول الله نصرته إن تلقه الأسد فى آجامها تجم

“Whoever is assisted by God's Messenger,
The lion on meeting him in its wood lies down meekly”

SIDE B

ولن ترى من ولي غير منتصر به ولا من عدو غير منقصم

“And you shall see no friend (of God) but he who is assisted,
And you shall see no enemy but he who is crushed”

mariusgmioc · 13th July 2021, 07:13 AM

Wow! Very nice find!

Congratulations!

Kubur · 13th July 2021, 08:07 AM

Thank you guys for your nice words
Kwiatek, thank you so much for your amazing help, not only for the translation, but more importantly for your comments and critical edition.

12th July 2021, 09:35 PM	#1
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	The inscriptions, different on both sides Attached Images

12th July 2021, 11:29 PM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,660	Kubur, Congratulations, what a spectacular sword. It is indeed very similar to the one in Hales' book. The scabbard fittings and the hilt construction are like a takouba, while the blade is more like something one would expect to find on a nice, older kaskara. Therefore a Kanem Bornu or Wadai attribution seems reasonable. It will be interesting to see kwiatek's translation as it may hold the key. Teodor

12th July 2021, 11:39 PM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,119	A very nice piece indeed.

13th July 2021, 01:18 AM	#4
kwiatek Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 153	Nice inscription too. They are Arabic verses from al-Busiri‘s Qasidat al-Burda (Ode of the Mantle), which are common on kaskaras SIDE A ومن تكن برسول الله نصرته إن تلقه الأسد فى آجامها تجم “Whoever is assisted by God's Messenger, The lion on meeting him in its wood lies down meekly” SIDE B ولن ترى من ولي غير منتصر به ولا من عدو غير منقصم “And you shall see no friend (of God) but he who is assisted, And you shall see no enemy but he who is crushed”

13th July 2021, 07:13 AM	#5
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,906	Wow! Very nice find! Congratulations!

13th July 2021, 08:07 AM	#6
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Thank you guys for your nice words Kwiatek, thank you so much for your amazing help, not only for the translation, but more importantly for your comments and critical edition.