Dahomey cutlass ?

colin henshaw · 10th September 2009, 03:53 PM

Hi

Here is a photo of the cutlass after cleaning off the rust. I have also taken a photo of the sword blade alongside an old cutthroat razor, for comparison.

As noted by Vandoo - the forms are very similar, and the theory that the inspiration for this type of sword (and Amazons' razor weapons), came from European razors seems a strong one to me.

On close examination of the hilt - the shark/ray skin pieces used do indeed look if they could be from a European military sword, as Jim mentioned.

Regards
Colin

Jim McDougall · 10th September 2009, 04:35 PM

Absolutely outstanding Colin! The configuration of the blade against the haft truly does have compelling resemblance to the haft on the European straight razor.
Thank you as well for the observation on the rayskin, and the support toward my suggestion that it may have been taken from a British officers hilt. The British presence in western coastal African regions was obviously prevalent here, and there were in many ways attractions to thier military regalia, as often found in various colonial situations.

In looking at this weapon it is easy to see how the SE Asian and Tibetan presumptions might occur, particularly in the instinctive free association perspective as it does carry key elements of resemblance. As earlier mentioned, this is hardly a rare situation, as the same identification conundrums have come up in a number of instances, and it is truly hard sometimes to make distinctions.

The wavy lines seen in linear motif here remind me of the associations to snake worship in aspects of West African religion and tradition, with the often mysterious interpretations of Vodun (of course the root of 'Voodoo' in degree in the Americas) among them.
This further complicates things due to the profound presence of nagan (snake) worship in SE Asia and India, as well as into Malaysian, and Philippines archipelagos ; the pronounced use of rayskin on weapons of China and Asian regions; and the obvious physical resemblances of the blade top being bifurcated (similar to kora) and the hafting resembling in degree the ram dao.

All best regards,
Jim

Tim Simmons · 10th September 2009, 08:06 PM

It is quite good fun making a comparison to a European cut throught razor as the inspiration of these pan West African ceremonial sabres/cutlass. To cut a long story short it is not difficult to find more detailed information on the creation mythology and the place of the ceremonial sabre. They tend to have associations with "god head" the principle diety clearing the bush for people to establish society and flourish. To my mind these ideas pre-date the import of European razors. Also I do not believe in this Amazon weapon. The permanant disply of African weapons at the BM does not in mention or include one. The recent extravagant expo in Taiwan that Luc brought our attention to will not have one either. I believe it is fiction made myth.

10th September 2009, 03:53 PM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	Hi Here is a photo of the cutlass after cleaning off the rust. I have also taken a photo of the sword blade alongside an old cutthroat razor, for comparison. As noted by Vandoo - the forms are very similar, and the theory that the inspiration for this type of sword (and Amazons' razor weapons), came from European razors seems a strong one to me. On close examination of the hilt - the shark/ray skin pieces used do indeed look if they could be from a European military sword, as Jim mentioned. Regards Colin Attached Images

10th September 2009, 04:35 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,660	Absolutely outstanding Colin! The configuration of the blade against the haft truly does have compelling resemblance to the haft on the European straight razor. Thank you as well for the observation on the rayskin, and the support toward my suggestion that it may have been taken from a British officers hilt. The British presence in western coastal African regions was obviously prevalent here, and there were in many ways attractions to thier military regalia, as often found in various colonial situations. In looking at this weapon it is easy to see how the SE Asian and Tibetan presumptions might occur, particularly in the instinctive free association perspective as it does carry key elements of resemblance. As earlier mentioned, this is hardly a rare situation, as the same identification conundrums have come up in a number of instances, and it is truly hard sometimes to make distinctions. The wavy lines seen in linear motif here remind me of the associations to snake worship in aspects of West African religion and tradition, with the often mysterious interpretations of Vodun (of course the root of 'Voodoo' in degree in the Americas) among them. This further complicates things due to the profound presence of nagan (snake) worship in SE Asia and India, as well as into Malaysian, and Philippines archipelagos ; the pronounced use of rayskin on weapons of China and Asian regions; and the obvious physical resemblances of the blade top being bifurcated (similar to kora) and the hafting resembling in degree the ram dao. All best regards, Jim

10th September 2009, 08:06 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,922	It is quite good fun making a comparison to a European cut throught razor as the inspiration of these pan West African ceremonial sabres/cutlass. To cut a long story short it is not difficult to find more detailed information on the creation mythology and the place of the ceremonial sabre. They tend to have associations with "god head" the principle diety clearing the bush for people to establish society and flourish. To my mind these ideas pre-date the import of European razors. Also I do not believe in this Amazon weapon. The permanant disply of African weapons at the BM does not in mention or include one. The recent extravagant expo in Taiwan that Luc brought our attention to will not have one either. I believe it is fiction made myth.