Billao (Belawa) Sword
Billao (Belawa) Sword
Dervish Somali
Italian Somaliland - British Somaliland (Somalia)
Late 19th - Early 20th century (ca. 1885 - 1910)
Steel, iron, horn, zinc
Blade: 40,6cm
Hilt & Blade: 63,8cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2019
Collection Number: 44
Ex. Swedish Private Collection
An old example of the Somali billao or belawa sword from the Horn of Africa during the Somali Dervish uprisings period. Many examples were captured as war trophies during the Italian and British war campaigns of Somaliland.
The straight leaf shaped unnsymetrical steel blade is double- edged with a central fuller near the base. The fuller transitions into a single medial ridge for the remainder of the blade. The hilt is carved from segments of buffalo horn stacked between thin layers of zinc. Squeezed between the blade and the hilt is an iron ferrule. The hilt ends with an iron three- pronged pommel with an engraved central spike. Missing the goat hide sheath and belt. A very good quality example in great condition.
Photographs 9 & 10: Somali warriors.
[1] W. O. Oldman, “Illustrated Catalogue of Ethnographic Specimens”, List No. 87 Vol. vii.; Item No. 23 (15906)
[2] Spring, Christopher. 1993. “African Arms and Armor”. Page 105 – 106 (Info)
[3] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1979-01-5019
[4] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1933-1114-48-a
[5] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1928-0509-44
[6] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1928-0509-42
[7] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1947-16-170-a
[8] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=6234
[9] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=6144
[10] https://galleryrider.com/index.php/african-art/archive/asymmetrical-blades/somali-short-sword-belawa