Ingessana Muder
Ingessana
Dar Funj - Sennar, Anglo- Egyptian Sudan (Tabi Hills, Blue Nile State, Sudan)
Late 19th century - Early 20th century
Steel, wood, leather
Blade: 50,8cm
Hilt & Blade: 69,5cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2025
Collection Number: 474

Ex. Oriental Arms: Haifa, Israel (2025)
Ex. Ethan Rider: Oakland, California, USA (2025)
Ex. Canterbury Auction Galleries: Canterbury, UK (2017)
Ex. Captain T.E. Hearn

The muder, or scorpion derived from its common shape, is the traditional prestige blade in the form of a throwing knife belonging to the Ingessana of Blue Nile in Sudan. The blade was used by adult males as a rite of passage and male fashion accessory. This blade comes from the collection of Captain T.E. Hearn of the Essex Regiment, attached to the Sudan Defense Corps (1927-1929). In a photograph showing nine blades on display in his home in Khartoum, this blade appears sixth from the left.

The blade is produced from steel and elaborately covered almost entirely with symbolic motifs. The head (striking section), is engraved in linear and circular motifs, with differing designs on each face, one possibly symbolizing a reptile. The neck, body, and breasts (crossbar), engraved with linear, circular motifs, geometric triangles, and zig-zag design throughout. While the loin (shaft and grip) is covered with wooden strips bound by leather. An uncommon blade with great provenance and history attached. The last photograph shows an Ingessana elder carrying a similar muder blade, taken by Jean Baptiste Sevette in Sudan 1983.

[1] https://oriental-arms.com/product/set-of-large-ingessana-throwing-knives-with-important-provenance-sudan/

[2] https://galleryrider.com/index.php/african-art/archive/throwing-knives/muder-throwing-knife-ingessana-sudan

[3] https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/a-collection-of-nine-early-20th-century-sudanese--a0d4f4d892

[4] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=6799

[5] https://galleryrider.com/index.php/african-art/archive/throwing-knives/muder-throwing-knife-ingessana-sudan-2

[6] https://africanarms.com/gallery.html?ingessana-before-1900-68-x-17-cm

[7] https://africanarms.com/gallery.html?2-x-ingessana-72-88-cm

[8] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1928-0409-21

[9] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1949-46-670

[10] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af-4388

[11] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1950-30-3