THE NAMES OF SWORDS.

The [swords] that were renowned and had a name and were inherited as heirlooms always by the first born sons,are the following. They did not carry them, however; but

they kept them as precious heirlooms.

[Those that have a name among.

the Bet-Abrehe are the following].

 1. Black [of Gabres].     2. Eldy, and      3. Lebleb (probably from lablaba "he hurt"), [belonging to Hasala son of Tasfachon.   4. Narrow [of Harsoy].  5. Black-white [of Bula],

[Among the Habab is known:] 

 6. Narrow [of Gaweg].

[Among the Ad Takles are known :]

 7. Albenay [of Naseh].      8. Handmaids-worth, [belonging to the Ad Geme ].    9. Half-silver [belonging to the Ad Derar]. 10. Black, and n.KabUlay [belonging to the Ad Nauraddln].  12. Cutter [belonging to the Ad Tedros].

[Among the c Ad Temaryam:]

13. Quick [of Sekkar].  14. Shed [of Eshaq]. 15. All-killer ! ) [of CAH son of Gabres].

16. Black [of Be emnat]. 17. Black [of  Ezaz son of Gerenat]. 18. Cutter [of Fekak].

[Among the (jemmegan, in Tigrina Dembezan, i. e. the region between Ad Taklezan and Wara:] 19. Piercer. 20. Soldier. 21. White  

The names of some other swords [not owned by a known family or man] are the following:

22. Marrow-eater.    23. Shearing.    24. Hurting.    25. Goats-worth.    26. Dark-speckled.     27. Handmaids-worth.     28. Cutter.   29. Erring.

SPECIES OF WORDS.

The swords are judged by their marks, and are called "valuable" or "of little value." And each species has a name.

A. Afrengi   B. MaJiawt    C. Kar      D. Abutfes     E. Bonkay.

Their marks are the following.

A. The Afrengi species.

1. The Afrengi from Sennar" is valuable. Its marks are: above the pommel ') four lines along side each other, a span long. And this is called the " Afrengi with four streams."

2. But if together with the four lines there is a drum or a lion or a serpent or a fly [carved on it, it is  called "Afrengl Selemani;" and this is more valuable than the foregoing.

3. The "Black Afrengi" is from Kabasa. Its mark is: a broad line, a span long, above the pommel, and there is a fly on it. It is the "Black Afrengi" and is also valuable; and they are all [three] costly.

B. The Mahawl species.

1. The "Rhinoceros-hoof  Mahawl" is valuable. Its marks are: three lines, a span long, above its pommel, and two crescents with their openings facing each other, and also the hoof of a rhinoceros. It is costly.

2. The "Running-stream Mahawl" however, has the lines reaching to its point; it is cheap. Or, again, if one of the lines is a little longer, and the two others are shorter, and if the crescents face outward, it is [also] called the "Running stream Mahawl, and it is of little value, too.

C. The Kar species.

i. The "Closed Kar" has the following marks: it is "closed" (i. e. without carving) from the pommel upward for a span, and after that there is a broad line on it; or, again, together with the closed space below, it is "closed" also above, beginning from the point; for a span, and the broad line is in

i) In these descriptions the sword is always imagined point up.

THE WERED OR ORDEAL

the middle, and half of it is ornamented with small irregular lines: it is valuable. Its price is like [that of], the Afrengi. And it is called the "Closed Kar" or the "Erring."

2. But if the Kar is carved with a broad line up to the point, it is of little value; and it is the sword of the highwaymen only.

D. The Abut'es species.

The Abut`es has under its pommel ') a square ornamented with little irregular lines; and above the pommel it has a broad line, a span long. It is of little value. And when it is used in striking, it has sometimes a "dark day."

E. The Bonkay species is also of little value.

Send mail to awkir@yahoo.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 10/13/09