African Swords actually used?

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?

Emanuel · 7th May 2007, 03:48 AM

Nice Kuba knife Steven. I'm watching one on the bay and I hope to have it in my collection soon

I had thought these had more of a ceremonial use, but then who says one couldn't actually cut and fight with them?
As for how effective they were, I think they were as good as any other type of blade. IIRC African martial arts do not include any recognizable form of "fencing", lacking any parrying. This and the lack of armour will make any sharp instrument deadly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven C.

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

Except that the khopesh had the edge on the convex side, whereas the bandja has it on the concave side. I've run into a number of publications that list the khopesh as a "sickle weapons" even though it isn't the case

Check out this thread for more.

Regards,
Emanuel

Luc LEFEBVRE · 8th May 2007, 11:08 PM

These Ikulbapyaang from the Kuba were never used for war, they are just used for ceremony.

http://lulef.free.fr/html/kuba.html

Luc

6th May 2007, 06:18 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	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.

6th May 2007, 01:02 PM	#1
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	#2
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	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	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	#5
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?

8th May 2007, 11:08 PM	#7
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	These Ikulbapyaang from the Kuba were never used for war, they are just used for ceremony. http://lulef.free.fr/html/kuba.html Luc