|
5th May 2024, 11:32 PM | #1 |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,785
|
This is excellent Peter, and a good opportunity to bring together a good discussion on these distinctive Saharan swords! While these of course have been discussed countless times on these pages over many years, these days there are many new members who of course will not recall or be aware of these. The articles you link are outstanding, and the history of these tribal peoples and these swords is fascinating.
As you well note, there are similarities in the cross (typically the Agadez cross if I recall) in the saddle and in many aspects of material culture including elements of the sword. The cross is not seen typically as any particular religious symbol, but having to do with the four cardinal directions. There are many interpretations for symbolism associated with blades on these, with the twin opposed moons being most familiar, and these are termed 'dukari'. I hope we will see examples posted here so we can discuss and learn from the peculiarities found on them. I'm trying to find a PDF of "European Swords and Blades in Tuareg Swords and Daggers", Lloyd Cabot Briggs, JAAS, 1965, which has become not only a benchmark work for study of these swords, but European sword blades as well. Anybody out there got this? |
6th May 2024, 12:08 AM | #2 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 311
|
Thanks Jim your reply is much appreciated. I pulled a camel saddle agadez cross picture off the web and it can be viewed at https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1547...a04b8710459ee9
Peter Hudson Last edited by Peter Hudson; 6th May 2024 at 12:27 AM. |
6th May 2024, 12:13 AM | #3 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 311
|
Naturally the main reference has to be placed here as http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/takouba.html Peter Hudson.
|
6th May 2024, 12:26 AM | #4 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 311
|
https://swordis.com/blog/takouba-sword/ provides an interesting lead in to this style of sword...Peter Hudson.
|
6th May 2024, 02:04 AM | #5 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 415
|
Sadly, the Takouba Research Society link appears dead, or at least inactive/unavailable.
The overall presentation of takouba information was of value, and now seems lost to time. Last edited by Bob A; 6th May 2024 at 04:59 AM. |
6th May 2024, 12:50 PM | #6 | |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 311
|
Quote:
Meanwhile an amazing looking sword clearly Takouba form can be seen at https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/y...g&action=click Peter Hudson |
|
6th May 2024, 02:18 PM | #7 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 401
|
Jim,
I think I have a hard copy of Briggs. I'll try to scan and post it. I assume any JASS copyright would slide on the basis of research use. Attached here is another article on the origin of Tuareg Blades that may be of value. Best, Ed |
|
|