Takouba for coments ... and a question

Jim McDougall · 6th October 2008, 12:58 AM

Always my pleasure Fernando! especially when you respond in kind, and I thank you for the detail on the word Takuba, and its use in the New World. The information you have provided is far more clearly, than I have been afforded in these past years. I have seen the reference you note listed, and even think it might be in my very inaccessible files, and though it is of course in French, might be somewhat readable. I do know that the word Takouba is in Tuareg glossaries, but without etymology details.

My lack of comment on the handle was an oversight, and it does seem that many of these do have unusually small handles. It does seem that native individuals did have smaller hands in many tribal regions, though that argument for small handles has met with great debate in the tulwar case. In looking at clothing, shoes and all manner of apparal of earlier times, it does seem people were smaller (heaven knows I could never get into my high school clothes!). I just read an article on the pgymies, and much notation on nutrition, lack of certain vitamins, diet etc. which accounts for thier size.

I think the smaller size hilt may suggest earlier 20th century, as well as the brass ring etc., you do present a good case, but I wouldnt go earlier than about the 30's. It really is hard to say, as it doesnt take long for leather to draw tight, even without being in the elements in the desert.

All the best,
Jim

6th October 2008, 12:58 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,283	Always my pleasure Fernando! especially when you respond in kind, and I thank you for the detail on the word Takuba, and its use in the New World. The information you have provided is far more clearly, than I have been afforded in these past years. I have seen the reference you note listed, and even think it might be in my very inaccessible files, and though it is of course in French, might be somewhat readable. I do know that the word Takouba is in Tuareg glossaries, but without etymology details. My lack of comment on the handle was an oversight, and it does seem that many of these do have unusually small handles. It does seem that native individuals did have smaller hands in many tribal regions, though that argument for small handles has met with great debate in the tulwar case. In looking at clothing, shoes and all manner of apparal of earlier times, it does seem people were smaller (heaven knows I could never get into my high school clothes!). I just read an article on the pgymies, and much notation on nutrition, lack of certain vitamins, diet etc. which accounts for thier size. I think the smaller size hilt may suggest earlier 20th century, as well as the brass ring etc., you do present a good case, but I wouldnt go earlier than about the 30's. It really is hard to say, as it doesnt take long for leather to draw tight, even without being in the elements in the desert. All the best, Jim