Cultural Reports from East Sudan on the Sword & Suakin: The sword in East Sudan- Changing from Historic Weapon to Man’s Finery
24 April, 2013Port Sudan, East Sudan (Sudanow)—seating himself on a small wooden stool in Deim Arab Market in Port Sudan in East Sudan, Tahir O'Nor seems deeply preoccupied in putting together parts of a new sword and adding artistic touches on its sharp blade.
He appears absent-minded, going back in his memory to the past when the sword was the main weapon for the people of East Sudan, wondering how it has now changed into a sheer decoration for men and an instrument for dancing with.
“In the past, the sword was the main weapon for most of the tribes in the East, especially the Beja tribes. It used to occupy an important social status but has now abated,” said O'Nor.
“It was in use in East Sudan thousands of years ago, with the tribes fighting with it in battles and raids and was at the same time a decoration and a symbol of manhood and social status,” he added.
“But now the interest in the sword has remarkably waned due to the development and the spread of firearms. Still, the sword retained its social position and is he still carried by the Beja tribesman where-ever he goes,” O'Nor said.
Historically, the sword in East Sudan was a central issue of interest in its shape, blade, hilt and decorated sheath
O'Nor polishes swords and draws and engraves artistic shapes and ornaments on the sheath.
The blade is sharpened with a file in a complex technical process in which O'Nor places the blade in a special piece of wood he holds between his legs and skillfully conducts the sharpening operation.
The sword which is made in East Sudan is famous for the geometrical drawings and shapes which are engraved on the blade and which are inspired from the Beja culture. It also carries inscriptions which may be verses from the Holy Koran, proverbs or lines of poetry.
“The sword in the East has been and still is a prominent feature of the people in that part of the Sudan; it is a symbol of prestige and pride and was linked with their historic victories and battles, particularly against the British colonization,” said Mohamed Al-Hassan Al-Saigh, a researcher in the Beja heritage.
He added that the sword has been and still is an important part of a man’s gear, whether at home or travelling, and a man is underrated and scorned if he is not carrying a sword.
Making the sword complete with all four parts – the blade, hilt, sheath and holder- is an integral technical process in which the makers compete to demonstrate their skills and to satisfy the taste of the customers, Saigh added.
In Deim Arab Market in Port Sudan which is frequented by the Beja tribes, one can hardly see a man without a sword.
“Where-ever we go the sword accompanies us… it is part of our culture and heritage… it is the symbol of the Beja tribesman… we carry it until now to defend ourselves if necessary and, besides, it is a social token,” said O'shaik, a shoe salesman in the city market.
The sword is also used in dancing and the sword-dance is practiced in social functions, especially the wedding and circumcision ceremonies. A Beja tribesman is normally elegant and slender and when dancing, he matches the flexible sword with the movements of his body.
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