is this a common dagger?

Jim McDougall · 6th March 2005, 04:19 PM

I agree with Tom on the possible regions for this clearly ceremonial knife.
The figure shapes seem to resemble material culture from West Africa regions from the Yoruba sphere. The snake is an important factor in the folk religion of these regions, specifically the python, as is ancestor worship. While I am not near my references at the moment, the hilt shape may be of these regions as well.
The significance of the male and female figures may have symbolism as seen here as described. It is interesting to note that in certain African cultures, especially Saharan such as the Tuareg, there is specific matrilineal heirarchy observed.
Daggers such as these, I would speculate, may be used in a votive sense as well as possibly ceremonially cf. the 'phurbu' in Tibet, used to symbolically drive away demons etc. or to recreate some desired action.

Best regards.,
Jim

6th March 2005, 04:19 PM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,197	I agree with Tom on the possible regions for this clearly ceremonial knife. The figure shapes seem to resemble material culture from West Africa regions from the Yoruba sphere. The snake is an important factor in the folk religion of these regions, specifically the python, as is ancestor worship. While I am not near my references at the moment, the hilt shape may be of these regions as well. The significance of the male and female figures may have symbolism as seen here as described. It is interesting to note that in certain African cultures, especially Saharan such as the Tuareg, there is specific matrilineal heirarchy observed. Daggers such as these, I would speculate, may be used in a votive sense as well as possibly ceremonially cf. the 'phurbu' in Tibet, used to symbolically drive away demons etc. or to recreate some desired action. Best regards., Jim