Dongola Sword
Dongola Sword
Nubian / Danagla - Sudanese Arab
Dongola, Mahdist Sudan - Anglo- Egyptian Sudan (Dongola, Sudan)
Late 19th - Early 20th century (ca. 1890 - 1925)
Steel, horn, bone, brass
Blade: 25 3/4" (65.4cm)
Hilt & Blade: 32 1/2" (82.6cm)
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -
Collection Date: 2026
Collection Number: 525
Ex. Rick Stroud (RSWORD): Raleigh, North Carolina, USA (2026)
A ceremonial sword from the Dongola Region off the banks of the Nile River, predominantly of Nubian and Arab demographics. This style of knife and sword were carried throughout the region along the Nile cataracts into Khartoum as marked by similar examples.
The double- edged blade is long and straight, spearpoint shaped that gradually merges to an acute tip. The blade is extensively engraved throughout in entirety. Two shallow grooves span most of the length, merging together towards the point. On the inside plane near the hilt is a panel with engraved geometric designs containing patterns of astrological sun bursts and crescent moons. The center, pierced in a stylized crocodile form displaying a meandering tail while the eyes are inlaid with brass on each side.
The hilt is composed of alternating segments of stacked and layered horn and bone with a cylindrical grooved bone central grip. Horn flared guard. The pommel ending in an iron dome securing the hidden tang. Minor chip to the pommel.
Swords of this type are uncommon and strictly ceremonial in use. Most examples collected date to the Mahdist time period. This particular example is well made, with a very good pierced blade in fine detail as seen from the brass inlaid eyes. The largest example that I have found of this kind. Unfortunately, the sword is missing its sheath, which would have likely been crafted of Nile Crocodile skin. Crocodile imbuement represented immense physical strength, military authority, and fierce leadership within Sudanese culture.
Photograph 15: Sudanese warriors with swords and war drum, 1896, Photograph by F. Gregson. Sudanese Archive, Durham.
[1] https://galleryrider.com/index.php/addenda/personal-collection/dagger-layered-handle-eritrea-somalia
[2] https://galleryrider.com/index.php/addenda/personal-collection/dagger-sheath-eritrea-somalia
[4] https://galleryrider.com/index.php/addenda/personal-collection/curved-dagger-sheath-eritrea-sudan
[6] https://africanarms.com/gallery.html?10-arab-dagger-ethiopia-somalia-blade-kl
[7] https://africanarms.com/gallery?6-eritrea-curved-dagger-w-scab-38-cm
[8] https://africanarms.com/gallery?6-eritrea-dagger-36-6-cm
[9] https://museoferritaglientiscarperia.it/exhibitions/?lang=en#1574248786818-37270a64-d6b0
[10] https://sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/51332/sudanese-sword-identifaction-assistance
[11] https://www.reddit.com/r/SWORDS/comments/9jjbuj/3ft_in_length_african_would_this_be_considered_a/
[12] http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22426 (Omdurman Style)
[13] http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20296 (Omdurman Style)