Beautiful work of North African weaponry art – a traditional Tuareg tellak dagger. It is sometimes called Tuareg Koummya in reference to its Moroccan relative with a similar shape of the blade. This dagger is mounted in black wood and intricately decorated with silver inlays featuring traditional ornaments. Note that this piece does not have a sheath.
Measurements:
Total length: 14" (35.5 cm).
Handle length: 6" (15 cm).
Widest part of the handle: 1.25" (3.2 cm).
Blade width: on average of 1" (3 cm).
Weight: 5.8 oz (165 gr).
The Tuareg are Amazigh-speaking pastoralists who, for thousands of years, dominated the central areas of the Sahara desert. They had a reputation of effective warriors. Until the arrival of technology, the Tuareg were among the wealthiest and most powerful of Northern African groups. Their traditional weapons include two-edged swords, sheathed daggers, iron lances, and leather shields. Interestingly, the blacksmiths who made swords and other weaponry, formed a separate social group within the Tuareg society. They had their own secret language, did not intermarry with other Tuaregs, and were often believed to possess mystical powers.
