Gile Dagger from the horn of Africa

The Jile (Or Gile) dagger is coming from the horn of Africa, mostly used by the Afar people from North East Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia. It is also used by the Somali and the Danakil neighboring people.

The Gile is characterized by the non-symmetrical leaf shaped blade, wood or horn handle and hide scabbard. Most of the Gile daggers on the market are simple working / fighting daggers. Few are more elaborate and highly decorated pieces used by Afar people of higher social degree.

The Gile dagger offered here is of higher degree than the common ones. Classical non-symmetric blade with a central fuller, probably forged from a re-used coarse file. Carved wood handle set with small silver plaques and a nicely chased silver pommel cover. Hide scabbard covered with heavy tooled leather stamped with circular "flowers" stamps and mounted with a long highly decorated silver filigree chape with large ball shaped tip.

Blade length13 inches (33 cm). Total length 20 1/2 inches (52 cm). Very good condition. Rare and authentic ethnic dagger. Mid 20 C.