Billao Dagger from East Africa

The Billao (Some time called Belawa)  is a Somali  Dagger of characteristic asymmetrical leaf shaped blade  and horn or sometimes ivory handle  with pronged pommel (One or three prongs) and a leather or hide scabbard. The Billao was favored by the Dervish movement  that in the very end of the 19 C. attempted to establish a free state in Nugaal valley in east of today Somalia.

The Billao offered here is a good exemplar of classical asymmetrical blade with shallow central rib. Ivory handle with black horn separators , single silver  pommel prong. Leather and hide scabbard.

Blade 9 1/2  inches. Total length 18  inches. Very good condition. Authentic mid 20C. Billao