Sword

Item number 1060/42 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Long metal sword (part a) with decorative leather casing (part b). End of sword handle is metal-tipped, has series of red coloured scalloped edges and ends with a green scalloped piece that holds the blade. Beyond the green piece is the sword sheath or casing. Body of casing is shaped by a series of six thin-edged knobs that are spaced with three narrow areas and are decorated with two large centralized shield-like knobs on either side of the sword. Each are decorated with interwoven geometric designs made of black, light-yellow and dark red grasses(?). Attached to the two large central knobs are two brown toggles with two strands of looped black cording. Hanging downwards from the central knobs are two long and wide overlapping leather flaps with spaghetti-thin pieces of leather. The long flaps are decorated with intricately cut and dyed geometric designs, as is the tapered, oval-shaped tip of the swords' sheath.

History Of Use

This type of sabre (fángo) is often referred to as a "dress sword," as it would have been a status symbol for its bearer. During the earliest years of European exploration and colonization, it was common for French cavalry blades to be reused by Malinke craftspeople for sabres like this, which would then be fitted with a more traditional sheath (fang-laa). The ornately decorated sheath and lack of protective guard on the grip indicate it was not likely made for combat. However, the lack of guard on the grip could also be a result of Arabian cultural influence; similar blades are used by Islamic communities across Africa.

Narrative

The documentation from the Sisters of Saint Ann Museum says this was collected by Mrs. K. Widdowson and acquired in 1944.

Iconographic Meaning

The leaf-shaped sheath may have been made to represent the shape of a crocodile’s head. The intricate geometric designs on the sheath also reflect a common theme in Islamic art in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Item History

Made before 1944
Owned by Sisters of Saint Ann Museum
Owned by B.C. Provincial Museum before September 6, 1985
Received from B.C. Provincial Museum (Transferring institution) on September 6, 1985