Thomas Del Mar - Arms & Armour

45
A SUDANESE DERVISH’S HELMET AND JIBBAH, LATE
19TH CENTURY
the helmet of hemispherical spun steel, drawn-up to a
faceted central finial, with a moulded recessed band at the
base, fitted with a sliding nasal bar secured by a plain
screw and with a shaped finial top and bottom, and
complete with its mail neck-defence of split and butted
rings; the jibba, of padded fabric, the outer surface
decorated with linear patterns in blue, red and gold, red
standing collar, and trimmed in blue at the base and the
sleeves (very small holes and minor tears and fading)
the helmet: 19cm; 7I in high
(2)
The jibba was the uniform of the dervishes: the followers
of Mahommed Ahmed, who proclaimed himself the guide,
or Mahdi, of Islam. He denounced the Ottoman rulers of
the region and preached a universal equality in rank and
goods. A number of jibba, along with helmets and Mahdi
banners, were taken at the Battle of Omdurman in 1898.
See P. Missillier & H. Ricketts 1988, p. 147.
£2000-2500
45
25