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Description

Sheath (b) and sword (a); metal blade with rope like motif, liner details and a stripe of yellow (brass?) metal on each side. The handle and sheath are covered in cowrie shells that are sewn diagonally with red-brown fibre. The shells on the handle cover a ‘b’ shaped piece of wood that attaches to the sword; the connection is covered by a stripe of skin. A rectangular area of skin is exposed at the end and opening of the sheath while the rest is covered with shells. There are also two skin tabs on the top and bottom along with a skin tip ending in numerous pieces of skin stripes with shells tied to the end.

History Of Use

The distinctive hook-shaped hilt on this sword follows the traditional design of nimsha scimitars used in northern Africa and Zanzibar. A blade like this one would have most likely been carried on the hip, and used primarily for combat and self-defence. Curved sword blades originated in central Asia, and were spread into Africa by Islamic migration. The use of cowrie shells on the sword and hilt are likely the result of Islamic influence spreading into the Horn of Africa as cowrie shell-producing mollusks are native to the Indian Ocean and east coast of Africa. These shells were used by cultures throughout this region as currency, and likely spread into Africa through Muslim traders from the Arabian Peninsula moving through North Africa. The engraving on the blade is also reminiscent of Arabian patterns that are common on blades from north African cultures.