ETHIOPIAN, ANYONE?

derek · 2nd November 2006, 01:13 AM

Someone, a LONG time ago, posted a comment about an old piece of film that showed two Abyssinian warriors sparring with shotels. It was described as a lot of jumping and attempting to pierce the opponent --- over the shield.

Jim McD, was it you that posted that comment? Did you actually see that film?

-d

roanoa · 2nd November 2006, 06:01 PM

I sure would like to see that clip. In any case, my point is that, since shotels vary so much in curvature, I doubt that most of them could do any damage when used that way.

Bill M · 2nd November 2006, 10:07 PM

Maybe they were used as giant ice picks or sugar hammers?

derek · 3rd November 2006, 04:26 AM

I use mine as a back scratcher. Works great.

roanoa · 8th November 2006, 01:38 AM

Here's something different. The sword is Ethiopian, as per Menelik's portrait, Lion of Judah, Amharic writing, the works, (thanks, Gennady), SO what the heck is this supposed to be???? The blade is very nice and clean, hetched and plated. I believe it is British. Don't ask me why; just a feeling. On one side, it has this scene, instead of the usual quotation from the Bible in Ge'ez. What do you see??? I see two scenarios: 1) some Amhara horsemen involved in a punishing party against an unruly tribe. 2) Arabic slavetraders raiding a village. I LOVE this puzzle. I did not know this was there when I bought the sword.... Have any of you guys seen anything like this?

derek · 9th November 2006, 09:09 PM

Roano,

That is fantastic. Like the shotels made in Europe, this was certainly conceptualized locally and executed in Europe. I would guess something like this would be to commemorate an event. It's too deliberate and would have been even more expensive to produce than the usual imported blades. Those don't look like Italians, so what battle would it be?

-d

2nd November 2006, 01:13 AM	#1
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	How shotels were used Someone, a LONG time ago, posted a comment about an old piece of film that showed two Abyssinian warriors sparring with shotels. It was described as a lot of jumping and attempting to pierce the opponent --- over the shield. Jim McD, was it you that posted that comment? Did you actually see that film? -d

8th November 2006, 01:38 AM	#5
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	Here's something different. The sword is Ethiopian, as per Menelik's portrait, Lion of Judah, Amharic writing, the works, (thanks, Gennady), SO what the heck is this supposed to be???? The blade is very nice and clean, hetched and plated. I believe it is British. Don't ask me why; just a feeling. On one side, it has this scene, instead of the usual quotation from the Bible in Ge'ez. What do you see??? I see two scenarios: 1) some Amhara horsemen involved in a punishing party against an unruly tribe. 2) Arabic slavetraders raiding a village. I LOVE this puzzle. I did not know this was there when I bought the sword.... Have any of you guys seen anything like this? Attached Images

2nd November 2006, 06:01 PM	#2
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	I sure would like to see that clip. In any case, my point is that, since shotels vary so much in curvature, I doubt that most of them could do any damage when used that way.

2nd November 2006, 10:07 PM	#3
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Maybe they were used as giant ice picks or sugar hammers?

3rd November 2006, 04:26 AM	#4
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	I use mine as a back scratcher. Works great.

9th November 2006, 09:09 PM	#6
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Roano, That is fantastic. Like the shotels made in Europe, this was certainly conceptualized locally and executed in Europe. I would guess something like this would be to commemorate an event. It's too deliberate and would have been even more expensive to produce than the usual imported blades. Those don't look like Italians, so what battle would it be? -d