Unusual West African Dagger Hilt...

katana · 1st August 2006, 04:34 PM

This dagger is a bit of a mystery...the sheath suggests West Africa..the blade is tempered and is 17.5 cms long and doubled edged. Its the handle which is unusual ....made from brass, it seems to 'cast' around the tang of the blade, and is of strange design, with intricate line engraving.
Any ideas as to origin, culture or use .........thankyou

Zan · 2nd August 2006, 02:31 AM

Interesting dagger. I think it has a Tuareg influence. Look at the gouza (Telek) from Oriental Arms in attachement : your dagger has the same general shape, but it is curved and it lacks one of the arms of the cross-shaped handle.

Sincerely,
Zan

katana · 2nd August 2006, 01:21 PM

Thanks Zan,
looking at it again I think your right.....also the point of the blade is rounded.....suggesting a Takouba influence?

Zan · 3rd August 2006, 02:35 AM

The point of blades from West Africa are often rounded, so it is not exclusive to Takoubas. Maybe it is because these blades are mainly used to cut.

The scabbard of your dagger has a Manding - Bamanan style, without any Tuareg influence. Do you think it is the original one for your blade ? If so, the dagger has only a Tuareg influence and is surely from another tribe. If not, the dagger is maybe an atypical Tuareg Telak or Gouzma.

Sincerely,
Zan

katana · 3rd August 2006, 05:22 PM

Hi Zan,
the scabbard is a very good fit but, I do not think it is original to the knife, it seems more recently made.

1st August 2006, 04:34 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Unusual West African Dagger Hilt... This dagger is a bit of a mystery...the sheath suggests West Africa..the blade is tempered and is 17.5 cms long and doubled edged. Its the handle which is unusual ....made from brass, it seems to 'cast' around the tang of the blade, and is of strange design, with intricate line engraving. Any ideas as to origin, culture or use .........thankyou Attached Images

2nd August 2006, 02:31 AM	#2
Zan Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montréal, Province of Québec, Canada Posts: 46	Interesting dagger. I think it has a Tuareg influence. Look at the gouza (Telek) from Oriental Arms in attachement : your dagger has the same general shape, but it is curved and it lacks one of the arms of the cross-shaped handle. Sincerely, Zan Attached Images

2nd August 2006, 01:21 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Thanks Zan, looking at it again I think your right.....also the point of the blade is rounded.....suggesting a Takouba influence?

3rd August 2006, 02:35 AM	#4
Zan Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montréal, Province of Québec, Canada Posts: 46	The point of blades from West Africa are often rounded, so it is not exclusive to Takoubas. Maybe it is because these blades are mainly used to cut. The scabbard of your dagger has a Manding - Bamanan style, without any Tuareg influence. Do you think it is the original one for your blade ? If so, the dagger has only a Tuareg influence and is surely from another tribe. If not, the dagger is maybe an atypical Tuareg Telak or Gouzma. Sincerely, Zan

3rd August 2006, 05:22 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Zan, the scabbard is a very good fit but, I do not think it is original to the knife, it seems more recently made.