African Swords actually used?

Tim Simmons · 6th May 2007, 08:40 AM

Right Steven you asked for it! African brigade attention. I will start with this one. With a bit of luck you will be buried under a mountain of wonderful shaped deadly weapons. The back of this weapon is 5mm the beak part is 26cm. It weighs 700g much like a good large Kukri. There's more

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Flavio · 6th May 2007, 11:58 AM

Hi Steven! I suppose you are talking of Central Africa arms, because there is no doubt that the kaskara, sudanese arms dagger or even nimcha or some tokuba are for real use. Anyway I'm with you that a lot of congolese weapons are for ritual-ceremonial use but there are that were used for war. Here is an example of real stuff:

1- Kuba Ilwoon (mid rib 1cm)
2- Salampasu sword
3- Yaka sword
4- Shi sword (mid rib 1cm)
5- Songye sword
6- Bandja curved sword (spine 0,7 cm)

Well, I have no doubts that all these are for real use, and at the moment I haven't good pictures of the spears that are really impressive!!
Another thing is if you ask me: do you prefer to go in war with this salampasu sword or a moro kris? the technological level is a entirely different world...

Lew · 6th May 2007, 01:02 PM

Hi Steve

Yes some of the Congolese knives and swords are strictly ceremonial and others were real or derived from actual weapons of war. You don't really wear too much clothing in the Congo so any sharp or long pointy weapon can be used with devastating effect. Today in the Congo one of the most feared weapons is the machete which is 18" long and only .125" thick which in comparison is not much different in size and shape and weight than the knives and swords we are speaking of.

Lew

The Double D · 6th May 2007, 02:39 PM

Lew, it's a panga...

Tim Simmons · 6th May 2007, 06:18 PM

Many weapons with this shape or versions similar are status weapons, the use of may indeed be questioned. Not this one. The blade is 33.5cm long and 10cm at the widest point. The blade is the flat z section often seen with African weapons to add strength to blades rather than making then bigger and heavier. This one it is more for decoration as the centre seam is 4mm thick.

Tim Simmons · 6th May 2007, 07:57 PM

I think it is worth mentioning that a great many of the shiny chunky weapons from almost everywhere are really status or parade weapons. Just look very close and you will find that only a small percent show any real signs of use.

Steven C. · 6th May 2007, 10:43 PM

That bandja sword really looks like an Egyptian khopesh...

So is there any sites or topics or something that discuss how these swords were used? How effective they are? I just wanna learn bout these real war ones. That Salampasu sword impresses me.

Also is this one, (the only African sword I've ever really liked) used for war? And in what manner, is it a good chopper?

6th May 2007, 08:40 AM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Red rag to a bull Right Steven you asked for it! African brigade attention. I will start with this one. With a bit of luck you will be buried under a mountain of wonderful shaped deadly weapons. The back of this weapon is 5mm the beak part is 26cm. It weighs 700g much like a good large Kukri. There's more .

6th May 2007, 11:58 AM	#2
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hi Steven! I suppose you are talking of Central Africa arms, because there is no doubt that the kaskara, sudanese arms dagger or even nimcha or some tokuba are for real use. Anyway I'm with you that a lot of congolese weapons are for ritual-ceremonial use but there are that were used for war. Here is an example of real stuff: 1- Kuba Ilwoon (mid rib 1cm) 2- Salampasu sword 3- Yaka sword 4- Shi sword (mid rib 1cm) 5- Songye sword 6- Bandja curved sword (spine 0,7 cm) Well, I have no doubts that all these are for real use, and at the moment I haven't good pictures of the spears that are really impressive!! Another thing is if you ask me: do you prefer to go in war with this salampasu sword or a moro kris? the technological level is a entirely different world... Attached Images

6th May 2007, 06:18 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Many weapons with this shape or versions similar are status weapons, the use of may indeed be questioned. Not this one. The blade is 33.5cm long and 10cm at the widest point. The blade is the flat z section often seen with African weapons to add strength to blades rather than making then bigger and heavier. This one it is more for decoration as the centre seam is 4mm thick. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 6th May 2007 at 06:37 PM.

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6th May 2007, 01:02 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Steve Yes some of the Congolese knives and swords are strictly ceremonial and others were real or derived from actual weapons of war. You don't really wear too much clothing in the Congo so any sharp or long pointy weapon can be used with devastating effect. Today in the Congo one of the most feared weapons is the machete which is 18" long and only .125" thick which in comparison is not much different in size and shape and weight than the knives and swords we are speaking of. Lew

6th May 2007, 02:39 PM	#4
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	Lew, it's a panga...

6th May 2007, 07:57 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	I think it is worth mentioning that a great many of the shiny chunky weapons from almost everywhere are really status or parade weapons. Just look very close and you will find that only a small percent show any real signs of use.

6th May 2007, 10:43 PM	#7
Steven C. Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Port Richey, Florida Posts: 20	That bandja sword really looks like an Egyptian khopesh... So is there any sites or topics or something that discuss how these swords were used? How effective they are? I just wanna learn bout these real war ones. That Salampasu sword impresses me. Also is this one, (the only African sword I've ever really liked) used for war? And in what manner, is it a good chopper?