210603 - Tribal used Old African Ethiopian Afar Jile or dagger - Ethiopia

Ethiopia: Tribal used Old African Ethiopian Afar sword or dagger with leather case.

Ethiopian sword which measures approximately 63 cm cm long (measurements taken when knife is enclosed in case).

The Jile is a curved dagger ranging in length from 30 to more than 65 cm. The handle is typically made of wood. The pommel often ends with ornament of bronze, zinc or silver. The double-edged blade is shaped like an asymmetrical leaf and today is typically made from salvaged metal, usually iron or steel from broken car and truck springs. The sheath is made of leather wrapped in leather, though it can sometimes have brass plates attached near the handle. The sheath always has an extra long tip, sometimes embellished with metal upholstery that can have an enlarged knob on the end. The sheath is worn on a belt around the waist and attached to the belt with a circular or square buckle or more rarely sown on. The dagger's handle often indicates the social status of the person who wears it. The concave side of the blade is used to cut.

It is commonly used in traditional events, such as dances, though it is still a weapon and has been used in times of dispute. However, there are societal and Islamic norms that must be followed in order to avoid defamation. The qolxad or jile should only come out of its sheath in extreme cases of conflict.

The jile is an integral part of being an Afar nomad in the Horn of Africa. It is one of the indispensable paraphernalia of the nomad. It serves as both a weapon of self-defense, useful object, and adornment that is the pride of the nomadic warrior and is also considered a symbol of virility. The jile is used to slaughter sheep, carve wood, and cut hair. Craftsmen or blacksmiths of traditional knives have long been a highly respected trade but have also been a symbol of the artisanal heritage of Ethiopia.