Origin:
Powder horn: Tuaregs (Niger, Mali)
Belt with pouch: Bedouins (Mauritania, Algeria)

Dating:
Powder horn: mid-20^th century
Belt with pouch: mid-20^th century

Dimensions:
Powder horn: length 33.5 cm, width 7.5 cm, depth 6.5 cm
Belt with pouch: length 103.3 cm, width 8.2 cm

Made of:
Powder horn: wood, cow horn, leather
Belt with pouch: leather, yarn, metal

Techniques:
Powder horn: mixed techniques
Belt with pouch: mixed techniques

Obtained by:
Powder horn: Adam Rybiński, eBay auction, May 25, 2014
Belt with pouch: Adam Rybiński, antique shop in Paris, 8/10/2014

Description:

In photos from the end of the 19th century, Tuareg warriors are most often depicted with spears, daggers, shields and, above all, swords. This does not mean that they did not know and use firearms. Initially, it was a muzzleloader, very often with locks of European production, later a breech-loading weapon.

A powder horn (or flask) and a belt with a pouch are an important element of the equipment of every shooter (hunter, warrior). The powder horn was used for muzzle-loading rifles. It was the first type of firearm used from its invention until the end of the 19th century. This type of weapon was used in Sub-Saharan Africa until the end of the 20th century. They were most often flintlocks used for hunting. Compared to European weapons from the 19th century, their range and accuracy were average. A century later, it was a completely obsolete weapon (low effectiveness, short range). The effect of firing a shot was a large amount of smoke, which disappeared only after some time, limiting the rate of fire of units using this type of weapon.

Starting from the first half of the 20th century, muzzleloaders were replaced by breech-loading weapon. An important element of this type of rifle is the lock, which is connected to the barrel with a bolt mechanism that allows the barrel to be opened and closed. In this situation, powder horns began to be replaced by pouches placed on belts.

The presented leather belt with a pouch and metal buckles is decorated with an embroidered pattern made of multi-colored yarn. It was probably made by Tuaregs or Berbers from Mauritania or Algeria in the mid-20th century, as evidenced by the type of decorations. Good condition, visible traces of use.

The literature on African weapons, both cold weapon and firearms, is rich. It is worth devoting a few words to the traditional weapons used by Tuareg shepherds and slaves. These include slingshots, heavy wooden clubs (aburi) of various shapes, the handle of which was topped with a leather strap worn over the hand, and self-made heavy clubs made of Combretum aculeatum branches. Both batons and clubs were also used for throwing. The latter were the basic equipment of slaves. They were most often used for driving cattle, self-protection, fighting, sometimes for hunting smaller game, birds, and killing poisonous snakes [Nicolaisen 1963: 168-170].

In the southern areas inhabited by the Tuareg (in Niger south of the Aïr Mountains near the city of Aderbissinat) bows were also used. The bow (taganzé) was made of a tree called édinen, and the string was made of cowhide leather. The arrows (imeran) had shafts of wood or reed, their iron tips were made by blacksmiths. The quiver (éha maren) was made of cowhide and covered with cow excrement on the inside. In the mid-20th century, bows fell into disuse, only little Tuareg boys used bows as toys [Nicolaisen 1963: 167-168].

Bibliography:

Nicolaisen Johannes, 1963, Ecology and Culture of the Pastoral Tuareg with Particular Reference to the Tuareg of Ahaggar and Ayr, Copenhagen: The National Museum of Copenhagen.

Rybiński Adam, 1999, Tuaregowie z Sahary, Warszawa: Wydawnictwa Akademickie Dialog.

Rybiński Adam, information provided during interviews (2020-2022).

Edited by Lucjan Buchalik

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The purchase is co-financed by the Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sport as part of the National Institute of Museums and Collections' own program "Expansion of museum collections".