Ariel, I agree that some African weapons are 'exotic' looking and that a lot of them would only be used for ceremonial reasons. But bear in mind that most of these 'ceremonial' pieces were developped from the real thing.

Anyway, some African weapons were and are the real thing.

My favourite piece (and I wouldn't be very happy if I received a blow from it) :eek: :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...eelding898.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...eelding901.jpg


Here's another one : a Shi-sword with a thick and rasor-sharp blade.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...eelding666.jpg

Hi, I think this will do the job also, a solid and sharp sword called Mbeeli ya phoko from the Yaka/Suku, Congo.

Hello Congoblades, you have i really nice yaka sword! I never seen one with a so pointed tip, usually is more rounded like mine :)

Hi Freddy, I noticed on the scabbard of the Shi sword, a short 'protrusion' jutting out at 90 degrees. Do you know if it has a function.....was thinking it could be useful for 'hooking' shields.

This is not one of the thin blade types. This would pierce even the thickest armour of doubt. With a neat skull and face smashing pommel :eek: .

Hi Flavio, yours is a very nice one too, you are right about about the tip, the four exemples on mambele.be are also with a more rounded tip and shorter, mine is 71 cm.

Nice piece Tim, looks to be ideal in 'close quarter' combat

These handle in a very similar way as some dha.

Mine too has this piece and also the others seen on books. All have a hole so i think that is for a belt to hang the sword on shoulder or so :)

Tim, your dha is simple wonderful!!!!

My Shi sword only has a small protrusion :( Hope I don't get a bad case of Shi protusion envy :D

It's interesting that Congoblades Yaka sword looks like the Celtic leaf bladed swords from 1st -3rd century AD?


Lew