Kaskara & Takouba "Enigmatic" Mark Revisited

Edster · 6th August 2022, 01:52 PM

My only guess about limited distribution would be sample size. EAA collectors have identified several (identified in the various threads) and I don't know how many kaskara or takouba are in the hands of our members, others and museums Also, the Mark may have only been engraved on the swords of higher ranking members of the sufi order, those who have attained a higher order of adeptness and not rank and file member.

Hopefully, other collectors will more closely examine their kaskara and other North African swords more closely for the famous mark.

Jim McDougall · 6th August 2022, 04:26 PM

I think that may be a good resolution, that this mark (enigma) might reflect as award or perhaps as you suggest, a level of achievement or status in a particular Tariqa in Sufi. That would explain the relative rarity (as far known) of this symbol on these sword blades.

In support of this seems to be the fact that in Briggs, the examples he notes having this device seem to only have been those of notable Tuareg chiefs or extremely prominent figures. As these are described naturally they are only seen through the filter of known European blade markings and native interpretations of them. Frankly that was in degree the level of consideration I was operating on as well, along with possible talismanic or folk type associations in symbolism.

The idea of a high ranking Sufi associated emblem is further supported by your mention years ago of the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge in Egypt receiving a kaskara with it on the blade in Khartoum in 1961.
That appears to be the only mention of this enigma mark beyond the three in Briggs. Here again I note your observation that these are apparently engraved skillfully by an artisan likely in precious metals rather than a native armorer dealing with more pedestrian level swords mounted with trade blades.

I think it will take a great deal of theological research in these elements of Sunni Islam and Sufi Orders to gain knowledge of the meaning of the enigma mark, and that certainly exceeds the general knowledge core in the average arms community. Possibly some of the scholars who have written on these religious aspects of arms in Sudan might have such awareness.

For our purposes at this level, as you note we need further exemplars of this mark on blades of other takouba or kaskara to test the exposure levels of the use of it, as well as hopefully provenance or additional context that might offer more insight.

Apparently the examples shown by Briggs of the Adembar and Raidera swords are in the Musee d' Ethnographie of Neuchatel (XXa, b)
It is unclear where XXc is. I have the Gabus reference pending, and have located Morel, Lhote for referencing so will see where that goes when all together.
Then maybe seeing if the Neuchatel museum has the examples, maybe photos of the markings?

It would seem that the 'hatched' marks (enigma) Briggs refers to as 'bees' have a connection to the stamped versions of the 'cow head', style example (as seen on the blade of the Darfur kaskara I posted) if the second one in XXb with two loops to the side is considered as transitionary to the stylized 'hatched' example.

The game is afoot

Jim McDougall · 8th August 2022, 04:18 PM

Ongoing,
So it seems we have established that the enigma mark was known in the period around WWI by the Tuareg, and it seems in the Air (Ayr) regions of that massif in Niger centered around Agadez.
The three examples cited in Briggs (1965) represent takouba of two Tuareg chiefs and one figure of nobility of these regions.

At some point, this same device began to occur on kaskara blades in the Sudan with one primary example mentioned by Ed as to the Judge al Shengeti c. 1956 as seen in library at Khartoum in 1961.
There seem to be several other kaskara without exact provenance with the enigma placed in similar rendition and placement that exist.

I recall Iain years ago suggesting this resembled a lock/key known in Sahara to be used by Tuareg, and in 2016 it was suggested again that this might represent a key.
With this idea, it seems quite possible that this device might indeed represent a key, perhaps used metaphorically representing possibly an achievement or status relating to Sufi following, and that would have to do with individuals with profound standing that had reached it.

More to consider I guess, and the search goes on. I'd like to finally get this solved 'this run', recalling similar discussion/investigations in '08/09, '16 etc.
Whatever the case, glad Ed brought it up again here.

The bottom image is that of the Shengeti kaskara; I noted also in the 2016 discussion there was an apocryphal suggestion that this mark had been seen in a reference where it was noted as British. With the existence of this device in Tuareg context in 1916 I am inclined to think otherwise, but place the note here as inclusive for consideration.

Edster · 8th August 2022, 10:31 PM

Jim,

The Tuareg Veil Key or Weight has a similar design to the Enigmatic Mark. The key has a circle, a center piece and a bottom one with three legs. The Mark only has the circle & the three legged piece. The Key is a Tuareg symbol of Amazigh ethnicity.

The symbol may or may not be connected to the Mark. Likely a stretch. Especially, why would the Tuareg nobles engrave it on their takouba and how/why would it be found on Sudanese kaskara, culturally separate from the Tuareg.

See the site and Google images of Tuareg Veil Key for several variations.

https://www.amazigh.it/tuareg-iwelle...n-swoul-niger/

Jim McDougall · 9th August 2022, 02:19 AM

Ed thank you for this response which is in line with the 'key' suggestion I had noted. The interesting variation in geometric combinations really does present a degree of plausibility to comparison with these, but that seems to pretty much fall into the same reach as with the Agadez crosses. In both cases these items seem more in line with magic and talismans.

My idea toward a key was more in a metaphoric sense, in the theosophy of important tribal figures, such as a key (no pun intended) to the secrets or understanding of religious dogma. I suppose what I am suggesting is in the sense of Masonic ritual and levels, here noting that with the Shengeti kaskara, he was a Grand Master.
That however would not explain the same enigma symbol on the takoubas which are in entirely different cultural sphere. What does transcend these tribal differences is of course religion.

So turning to the religion, most all of Air and these regions, the Tuareg are followers of the Maliki sect of Sunni Islam. This following exists also in Sudan, and while the law is set by Maliki doctrine there have developed followings in Sufi which seem to have been able to co-exist in Niger so probably in other regions also.
Clearly this area is far outside my knowledge, but it seems possible that such a symbol might have a metaphoric meaning in these areas of religious significance.

6th August 2022, 01:52 PM	#1
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 440	My only guess about limited distribution would be sample size. EAA collectors have identified several (identified in the various threads) and I don't know how many kaskara or takouba are in the hands of our members, others and museums Also, the Mark may have only been engraved on the swords of higher ranking members of the sufi order, those who have attained a higher order of adeptness and not rank and file member. Hopefully, other collectors will more closely examine their kaskara and other North African swords more closely for the famous mark. Last edited by Edster; 6th August 2022 at 03:36 PM. Reason: added "others and museums"

6th August 2022, 04:26 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,583	I think that may be a good resolution, that this mark (enigma) might reflect as award or perhaps as you suggest, a level of achievement or status in a particular Tariqa in Sufi. That would explain the relative rarity (as far known) of this symbol on these sword blades. In support of this seems to be the fact that in Briggs, the examples he notes having this device seem to only have been those of notable Tuareg chiefs or extremely prominent figures. As these are described naturally they are only seen through the filter of known European blade markings and native interpretations of them. Frankly that was in degree the level of consideration I was operating on as well, along with possible talismanic or folk type associations in symbolism. The idea of a high ranking Sufi associated emblem is further supported by your mention years ago of the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge in Egypt receiving a kaskara with it on the blade in Khartoum in 1961. That appears to be the only mention of this enigma mark beyond the three in Briggs. Here again I note your observation that these are apparently engraved skillfully by an artisan likely in precious metals rather than a native armorer dealing with more pedestrian level swords mounted with trade blades. I think it will take a great deal of theological research in these elements of Sunni Islam and Sufi Orders to gain knowledge of the meaning of the enigma mark, and that certainly exceeds the general knowledge core in the average arms community. Possibly some of the scholars who have written on these religious aspects of arms in Sudan might have such awareness. For our purposes at this level, as you note we need further exemplars of this mark on blades of other takouba or kaskara to test the exposure levels of the use of it, as well as hopefully provenance or additional context that might offer more insight. Apparently the examples shown by Briggs of the Adembar and Raidera swords are in the Musee d' Ethnographie of Neuchatel (XXa, b) It is unclear where XXc is. I have the Gabus reference pending, and have located Morel, Lhote for referencing so will see where that goes when all together. Then maybe seeing if the Neuchatel museum has the examples, maybe photos of the markings? It would seem that the 'hatched' marks (enigma) Briggs refers to as 'bees' have a connection to the stamped versions of the 'cow head', style example (as seen on the blade of the Darfur kaskara I posted) if the second one in XXb with two loops to the side is considered as transitionary to the stylized 'hatched' example. The game is afoot Last edited by Jim McDougall; 7th August 2022 at 06:13 AM. Reason: corrections

8th August 2022, 04:18 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,583	Enigma mark...Tuareg into the kaskara realm Ongoing, So it seems we have established that the enigma mark was known in the period around WWI by the Tuareg, and it seems in the Air (Ayr) regions of that massif in Niger centered around Agadez. The three examples cited in Briggs (1965) represent takouba of two Tuareg chiefs and one figure of nobility of these regions. At some point, this same device began to occur on kaskara blades in the Sudan with one primary example mentioned by Ed as to the Judge al Shengeti c. 1956 as seen in library at Khartoum in 1961. There seem to be several other kaskara without exact provenance with the enigma placed in similar rendition and placement that exist. I recall Iain years ago suggesting this resembled a lock/key known in Sahara to be used by Tuareg, and in 2016 it was suggested again that this might represent a key. With this idea, it seems quite possible that this device might indeed represent a key, perhaps used metaphorically representing possibly an achievement or status relating to Sufi following, and that would have to do with individuals with profound standing that had reached it. More to consider I guess, and the search goes on. I'd like to finally get this solved 'this run', recalling similar discussion/investigations in '08/09, '16 etc. Whatever the case, glad Ed brought it up again here. The bottom image is that of the Shengeti kaskara; I noted also in the 2016 discussion there was an apocryphal suggestion that this mark had been seen in a reference where it was noted as British. With the existence of this device in Tuareg context in 1916 I am inclined to think otherwise, but place the note here as inclusive for consideration. Attached Images

8th August 2022, 10:31 PM	#4
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 440	Jim, The Tuareg Veil Key or Weight has a similar design to the Enigmatic Mark. The key has a circle, a center piece and a bottom one with three legs. The Mark only has the circle & the three legged piece. The Key is a Tuareg symbol of Amazigh ethnicity. The symbol may or may not be connected to the Mark. Likely a stretch. Especially, why would the Tuareg nobles engrave it on their takouba and how/why would it be found on Sudanese kaskara, culturally separate from the Tuareg. See the site and Google images of Tuareg Veil Key for several variations. https://www.amazigh.it/tuareg-iwelle...n-swoul-niger/ Attached Images

9th August 2022, 02:19 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,583	Ed thank you for this response which is in line with the 'key' suggestion I had noted. The interesting variation in geometric combinations really does present a degree of plausibility to comparison with these, but that seems to pretty much fall into the same reach as with the Agadez crosses. In both cases these items seem more in line with magic and talismans. My idea toward a key was more in a metaphoric sense, in the theosophy of important tribal figures, such as a key (no pun intended) to the secrets or understanding of religious dogma. I suppose what I am suggesting is in the sense of Masonic ritual and levels, here noting that with the Shengeti kaskara, he was a Grand Master. That however would not explain the same enigma symbol on the takoubas which are in entirely different cultural sphere. What does transcend these tribal differences is of course religion. So turning to the religion, most all of Air and these regions, the Tuareg are followers of the Maliki sect of Sunni Islam. This following exists also in Sudan, and while the law is set by Maliki doctrine there have developed followings in Sufi which seem to have been able to co-exist in Niger so probably in other regions also. Clearly this area is far outside my knowledge, but it seems possible that such a symbol might have a metaphoric meaning in these areas of religious significance.