Arm Dagger in Sheath
Fur / Nuba / Bedja / Barabra / Hadendoa, Sudan
Iron, wood, leather, crocodile
Late 19th / early 20th century
Knives of this type were widely used by numerous cultures throughout Sudan and attributing them to one specific group can be problematic. They were commonly found among the Fur and Nuba. Many found their way into distant areas via a system of long distance trade by caravans, ending up far to the east in Somalia and far to the west in Nigeria.
The knife was worn on the outside of the upper arm, handle pointing downwards, and grabbed with the opposite hand (Fischer & Zirngibl, Afrikanische Waffen, 1978; Sparks, “Arab Knife,” Southern Sudan Project, 2005; Westerdijk, African Metal Implements, 1984; Zirngibl & Kubetz, Panga Na Visu, 2009).
This knife comes from the territory of the former state of Darfur, one of the many Sultanates of 19th century Sudan, an area rich in iron ore. The Fur, who number 200,000, are the main culture in Darfur (Darfur simply means ‘land of the Fur’). The use of daggers in this region was very prominent (Westerdijk, The African Throwing Knife, 1988).
13 in :: 33 cm
InventoryID #13-2893
SOLD
