writing on a sansibar hilt

blindside · 13th December 2011, 09:53 AM

I was cleaning the hilt on this beat up old sansibar and it accentuated some writing on the hilt. I am curious if anyone can interpret what it means. I am showing two of the three lines, the third face is so hard to discern that I can't make much out even in the best of light. I am showing two versions one is under normal light, the second is my attempts to enhance the writing to make it more distinct.

Even if nobody can make heads or tails of this, is this sort of thing common or uncommon? Once again, thanks in advance.

Jim McDougall · 13th December 2011, 10:36 PM

I am wondering where the 'Zanzibar' designation comes from on this.
The wood hilt is quite unusual and the blade seems to recall some of the heavier 'flyssa' type sabres from Algerian Berber regions in 20th c.
Not sure on the writing which hopefull our linguists might recognize.

migueldiaz · 13th December 2011, 11:36 PM

hello. that looks like a luzon tabak (war sword). similar examples are below. as for the engraving, the repetition of the words/abbreviations makes it a good candidate for an anting-anting incantation, which is usually rendered in pig latin. thanks for sharing the pics!

blindside · 14th December 2011, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by migueldiaz

hello. that looks like a luzon tabak (war sword). similar examples are below. as for the engraving, the repetition of the words/abbreviations makes it a good candidate for an anting-anting incantation, which is usually rendered in pig latin. thanks for sharing the pics!

I was thinking possibility of it being an anting-anting as well. The partial remains of the scabbard has what may be a Sacred Heart on it, I will see if I can get a decent picture of it.

My naming of the blade comes from martial arts references (which I am perfectly sure aren't always accurate) regarding the common blade term, it is entirely possible I am off a region or dialect. I have frequently seen (and heard) references to the Sansibar, and I thought it was based off of blade shape, and that the term was common to the eastern Visayas. Speaking of which, I have also seen this type of blade (and that tabak) called a "matulis."

migueldiaz · 14th December 2011, 02:32 AM

Thanks. Here are some sample anting-anting imageries & scripts, coming from this book. I'll also look for heart-shaped images.

blindside · 14th December 2011, 05:08 AM

Here is the image from the scabbard:

13th December 2011, 09:53 AM	#1
blindside Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 33	writing on a sansibar hilt I was cleaning the hilt on this beat up old sansibar and it accentuated some writing on the hilt. I am curious if anyone can interpret what it means. I am showing two of the three lines, the third face is so hard to discern that I can't make much out even in the best of light. I am showing two versions one is under normal light, the second is my attempts to enhance the writing to make it more distinct. Even if nobody can make heads or tails of this, is this sort of thing common or uncommon? Once again, thanks in advance. Attached Images

13th December 2011, 11:36 PM	#3
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	hello. that looks like a luzon tabak (war sword). similar examples are below. as for the engraving, the repetition of the words/abbreviations makes it a good candidate for an anting-anting incantation, which is usually rendered in pig latin. thanks for sharing the pics! Attached Images

14th December 2011, 02:32 AM	#5
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Thanks. Here are some sample anting-anting imageries & scripts, coming from this book. I'll also look for heart-shaped images. Attached Images

14th December 2011, 05:08 AM	#6
blindside Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 33	Here is the image from the scabbard: Attached Images

13th December 2011, 10:36 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,758	I am wondering where the 'Zanzibar' designation comes from on this. The wood hilt is quite unusual and the blade seems to recall some of the heavier 'flyssa' type sabres from Algerian Berber regions in 20th c. Not sure on the writing which hopefull our linguists might recognize.