Tuareg Takouba

  • Tuareg Takouba

  • Tuareg Takouba

  • Tuareg Takouba

  • Tuareg Takouba

  • Tuareg Takouba

  • Tuareg Takouba

  • Tuareg Takouba

  • Tuareg Takouba

Tuareg Takouba
Tuareg People
French West Africa Region (Niger / Mali / Bukina Faso)
Early 20th century (ca. 1900 - 1920)
Steel, leather, brass
Blade: 80,6cm
Hilt & Blade: 94cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 95,9cm
Collection Date: 2022

The takouba sword can be found among the vastness of the Sahel Region and used by numerous peoples, including the Tuareg, Hausa, and the Fulani. This one displays typical Tuareg craftsmanship, and although in fair shape, it is a good characteristic example with some age. The double-edged steel blade is of local manufacture, comprising three shallow central fullers, the longest extending almost the entirety of the blade. There is some zig-zag decoration engraved on one edge of both sides of the blade about a quarter way from the hilt.

The hilt and crossguard is of steel, wrapped in leather, now frayed and with some loss. A dyed green tooled leather section is attached on the front face. The pommel is a steel disc with a single brass decorated cap.
The leather sheath is also tooled in geometric design motifs with remnants of dyed green leather sections attached with brass studs and two steel baldric rings. The locket and chape are brass decorated. Research assumes this example to be 20th century compared to similar examples. Please see Takouba Research Society Collections.