Origin: Tuareg (Mali, Niger)

Local name: arer (tamashek language)

Dating: mid-19^th century 20^th century

Dimensions: length 133.0 cm, width 86.0 cm, depth max. 0.8 cm

Made of: leather

Techniques: leatherwork

Sourced by: Adam Rybiński, eBay auction (France), 2021.

Description:

The Tuareg, as a warlike people, used various types of weapons. While offensive weapons (white or firearms) were effective – an example is the successful encounter with French troops at the beginning of the colonial era - defensive weapons (shields) were characterized by low effectiveness. The small thickness and ease of piercing the skin may indicate that it was an effective defense against bow arrows and spears thrown from a long distance. The advantage of the shields was their large size, protecting almost the entire body of the rider. Swords (takuba) and daggers are still used today. Swords function as decorations, as an important element of Tuareg costume. Daggers and knives usually have economic functions. Compared to the examples of offensive weapons mentioned above, the shield fell into disuse relatively quickly. In iconographic material from the early 20th century, Tuareg warriors almost always pose with shields. In the second half of the 20th century, this was a rare image. It can be assumed that shields stopped being made in the mid-20^th century – then they probably had only decorative functions.

Adam Rybiński, while searching for Tuareg shields in the Sahara, came across them only in two Tuareg camps. They were treated as souvenirs of bygone times, so the owners did not intend to part with them. Ultimately, he managed to buy one shield in the research field, the other was obtained at an online auction, so it is difficult to determine its history from the moment it was acquired in the field to its purchase by a collector.

The presented shield – considering its rarity – is one of the most valuable objects in the Tuareg collection of the Municipal Museum in Żory. It is made of light beige oryx antelope skin (Oryx dammah), decorated with a geometric pattern in the center. A leather handle is visible at one edge of the dial. The item was made by the Tuaregs in Niger or Mali in the mid-20^th century, as evidenced by the form and type of decorations on the item. Good condition, minor deformations visible. No visible damage or conservation activities undertaken.

Bibliography:

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

Rybiński Adam, 2015, Błękitne miraże. Kolekcja tuareska Adama Rybińskiego, Warszawa: Państwowe Muzeum Etnograficzne.

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".