Boer,Paul Kruger's sword,what is it?

[silverclaws]

Originally Posted by ariel

When S. Africa was a Dutch colony, there were quite a lot of Malay slaves brought from Indonesia ( ever tried South African national dish call Bobotjie?). But they were mostly from Java and a bit from Sumatra.
Oom Kruger lived much later, when the British were in control and the importation of foreign workers was limited to the Indians ( Gandhi started there). Also, he never, ever left S. Africa.
If it indeed came from S. Africa, it was likely a souvenir, or ... I bet there was a ton of crazy Brits and Boers who collected sharp and pointy things

I Thankyou for your information,we are learning more and more each day.The weapon did indeed come from SA,the people that own it have recently relocated to Britain and from what I understand was given to them by descendants of Paul Kruger.

It is entirely possible that it may have originally been a souvenir from foreign shores that found it's way into his possesion or family,but a thought exists about Oom Paul as President of the Transvaal,would a weapon like that be a gift from a foreign dignitary?I have heard That it is a good example of a mandau,would it be likely that it would be suitable as a gift?

I also did wonder if were possible that any records were kept of official engagements by the president that might give reference to contact with the people of Borneo and there possibly shine some light on the mandaus origin or how it came to be in the family.