sucker for African sickles

Matt Splatt · 1st November 2007, 09:15 AM

Hi Tim, you have some really beautiful swords there. I love these mambeli. I have always been unsatisfied by the idea that they were used to pull aside an opponents shield. I have a couple that feel like real battle weapons but they are far more simple than yours. I believe these are Boa but please correct me if I am wrong. These are both very sharp.
Could these have been used to trap a spear shaft against your shield, then pushing the shield forward use the mambeli as a fulcrum to bend the spearhead or break the shaft? Anyway it's just a thought.

Freddy · 1st November 2007, 02:15 PM

Nice swords, Tim.

I simply think that the form of these swords was used to hit an opponent protecting himself with a shield. You can 'go round' a shield with such a sword, much in the same way the Ethiopian 'shotel' was used.

Tim Simmons · 1st November 2007, 05:24 PM

One could make a hammer action with these blades. The blades strength seems only fit for that kind of movement either overhead or to the side. A hammer action blow to the skull would be seriously unpleasant the same action else where would also be quite nasty perhaps not deadly. It is possible that combat was indeed carried out to formal rules. It would not be the first instance in history.

Flavio · 1st November 2007, 06:37 PM

Congrats Tim!!! Very very nice!

Luc LEFEBVRE · 2nd November 2007, 12:34 AM

Nice exemples Tim.
I had a Ngombe like yours, but I've sold it (impossible to keep all !), and it is very tall to stand.
I keep a Nsakara in my collection.
Luc

Freddy · 3rd November 2007, 01:27 PM

Just want to add this : the little 'axe head' or 'half moon' is used for attaching a leather strap. Tim, at the base of the wooden handle you will see the iron tang curled up to form a loop. Sometimes there are also holes in the base of the handle for the same purpose.

fernando · 3rd November 2007, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddy

... the little 'axe head' or 'half moon' is used for attaching a leather strap.

No more mistery. Clever thing. Thanks Freddy

Jim McDougall · 4th November 2007, 09:22 PM

I think your ideas concerning the possible manner of use with these weapons is very well placed Tim. It seems that for the most part, tribal conflict in Africa was in varying degree settled by limited combat of champion warriors. I believe that Spring addressed this somewhat and the formidable appearance of certain weapons was more inclined toward psychological effect than actual practical application.
Freddy, thank you so much for explaining the purpose of that little half moon!! I had one of these interesting swords, and cannot tell you how maddening it was trying to figure out what the heck that was there for!!

BTW, which tribes and regions were these swords common to? I believe they were Congo of course, but more specific? Also I am not sure of the correct term for them (I think it is noted in "Beaute Fatale").

All best regards,
Jim

1st November 2007, 09:15 AM	#1
Matt Splatt Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 31	Hi Tim, you have some really beautiful swords there. I love these mambeli. I have always been unsatisfied by the idea that they were used to pull aside an opponents shield. I have a couple that feel like real battle weapons but they are far more simple than yours. I believe these are Boa but please correct me if I am wrong. These are both very sharp. Could these have been used to trap a spear shaft against your shield, then pushing the shield forward use the mambeli as a fulcrum to bend the spearhead or break the shaft? Anyway it's just a thought. Attached Images Last edited by Matt Splatt; 1st November 2007 at 09:33 AM.

2nd November 2007, 12:34 AM	#5
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Nice exemples Tim. I had a Ngombe like yours, but I've sold it (impossible to keep all !), and it is very tall to stand. I keep a Nsakara in my collection. Luc Attached Images

1st November 2007, 02:15 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Nice swords, Tim. I simply think that the form of these swords was used to hit an opponent protecting himself with a shield. You can 'go round' a shield with such a sword, much in the same way the Ethiopian 'shotel' was used.

1st November 2007, 05:24 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	One could make a hammer action with these blades. The blades strength seems only fit for that kind of movement either overhead or to the side. A hammer action blow to the skull would be seriously unpleasant the same action else where would also be quite nasty perhaps not deadly. It is possible that combat was indeed carried out to formal rules. It would not be the first instance in history.

1st November 2007, 06:37 PM	#4
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Congrats Tim!!! Very very nice!

3rd November 2007, 01:27 PM	#6
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Just want to add this : the little 'axe head' or 'half moon' is used for attaching a leather strap. Tim, at the base of the wooden handle you will see the iron tang curled up to form a loop. Sometimes there are also holes in the base of the handle for the same purpose.

4th November 2007, 09:22 PM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,189	I think your ideas concerning the possible manner of use with these weapons is very well placed Tim. It seems that for the most part, tribal conflict in Africa was in varying degree settled by limited combat of champion warriors. I believe that Spring addressed this somewhat and the formidable appearance of certain weapons was more inclined toward psychological effect than actual practical application. Freddy, thank you so much for explaining the purpose of that little half moon!! I had one of these interesting swords, and cannot tell you how maddening it was trying to figure out what the heck that was there for!! BTW, which tribes and regions were these swords common to? I believe they were Congo of course, but more specific? Also I am not sure of the correct term for them (I think it is noted in "Beaute Fatale"). All best regards, Jim