Sudanese spears of Mahdist Period 1881-1899

Jim McDougall · 1st February 2023, 02:25 PM

Thank you so much Ed, and for that link......2013...10 years ago, wow! Time really goes by! amazing how much info in that discussion, and your knowledge and field experience in these topics is profound.

As you note, the spears are seldom ever addressed in discussions on Sudanese topics, despite the fact of their importance among tribal warriors there.
These are great insights as to some of the key tribal preferences. It seems that so many times over the years many have somehow seen those barbed 'fishing' spears as deliberately horrible weapons for warfare. as you note, this is quite unlikely as the weapon cannot be pulled back.

I am wondering on my example, which seems to have a bit different shape but is indeed quite large, may be intended as a 'standard'...in the manner of the example shown with the ivory handle. The 'decorative' script overall seems, like thuluth, to be based on repetitive wording or phrases, but arranged in accord with the shape of the blade.

1st February 2023, 02:25 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,311	Thank you so much Ed, and for that link......2013...10 years ago, wow! Time really goes by! amazing how much info in that discussion, and your knowledge and field experience in these topics is profound. As you note, the spears are seldom ever addressed in discussions on Sudanese topics, despite the fact of their importance among tribal warriors there. These are great insights as to some of the key tribal preferences. It seems that so many times over the years many have somehow seen those barbed 'fishing' spears as deliberately horrible weapons for warfare. as you note, this is quite unlikely as the weapon cannot be pulled back. I am wondering on my example, which seems to have a bit different shape but is indeed quite large, may be intended as a 'standard'...in the manner of the example shown with the ivory handle. The 'decorative' script overall seems, like thuluth, to be based on repetitive wording or phrases, but arranged in accord with the shape of the blade.