Whole Steel Takouba Sword with Long Blade.

The Takouba is the iconic sword of the Sahel. Although commonly it is attributed to the Tuareg people, in fact it is used by many tribes and people of the Sahel: Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri to mention few. The Takouba tradition goes back to early medieval times and continue the early use of straight blade swords in the Islamic cultures.  Tradition and geographical isolation kept the straight blade sword as the major cavalry battle sword in the Sahel, whereas it was slowly replaced by the curved saber in other Islamic territories.

The early Takouba sword offered here employs a slightly curved narrow and long single edge blade, somewhat crude and probably local made. Whole steel handle with bulbous steel pommel in contrary to many brass made handles on common Takouba swords. Lather scabbard with pierced locket and long steel chape. Both the cross guard and the chape are lightly chased and engraved in a similar pattern.

Blade 32 inches (81 cm). Total length 39 1/2 inches (100 cm). Good condition to age. Scabbard leather is lightly worn. Early 20 C. Iconic sword, early and scarce