PSYCHOLOGICAL WEAPONS

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Interesting stuff, Barry.

Those Maoris especially, and their hakas---although I did hear that the haka was originally performed as a tribute of thanks.

I was aware that during the highland uprising in the 1700's the pipes were classified as "an instrument of war", but I always thought that the highland pipes were primarily a peaceful instrument.

Could I ask where you learnt that the highland pipes were originally a weapon?

Thanks.

As an inhabitant of NewZealand (home of the Maori), thought I had better get involved here. To save loads of copying on my part, and speculation on the part of Forum Members, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haka (or just GOOGLE the word Haka) where various aspects of the Haka are described.
Stuart

[VANDOO]

THANKS FOR THE LINK A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION THERE. THE MANY DANCES OF POLYNESIA ARE VERY INTERESTING. THEY WERE AND STILL ARE A FORM OF COMUNICATION AND A WAY OF TRAINING THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE WAYS OF THE TRIBE. MANY OF THE MOVEMENTS IN SOME OF THE MENS DANCES TEACH FOOTWORK, AGILITY, STRIKES AND BLOCKS SOME REMIND ME OF THE KATA'S I PRACTICED IN MARTIAL ARTS. IN THE OLD DAYS A WELL DONE DANCE COULD COULD WIN YOU A MATE OR FAVOR FROM THE CHIEF AND PERHAPS GIVE YOU THE SKILL TO SURVIVE AND WIN A BATTLE.

WE OFTEN THINK A DANCE IS JUST A WAY TO HAVE FUN AND TODAY LARGELY IT IS BUT IN THE OLD DAYS IT PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE SOCIETYS OF MAN THE WORLD OVER.

[Mark]

I have read that during the North African campaigns of WWII the Germans were in dread of the sound of Scottish bagpipes, as they signalled the presence of the Highland regiments, who they considered to be very fierce fighters (a pretty good estimation, I'd say). The Scots would even play the pipes at the front during the night for their psycological effect. Nothing like hearing the sound of your worst enemy to keep you up at night and/or give you nightmares.

[David]

Here's a short clip of Haka performed in a non-sports related fashion. There is also some good Haka in the film Whale Rider.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-lrE...eature=related
And then i also found this rare footage of a seldom seen Maori clan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oulQwIP9VQQ

[A. G. Maisey]

Yeah Jim, Samoans, Maoris, and other Pacific Island people can all be pretty scary in aggression mode. Two thousand years of selective breeding does have some effect.

However, although the physical effect of selective breeding is principally responsible for the remarkable physique and abilities of these people, it is not responsible for the aggression. This aggression is the result of social organisation. There is a lesson to be learnt from this which is particularly applicable to all of us at the present time.

Ever heard of the Moriori? Chatham Islands?

Have a look at this:-

http://www.davekopel.com/NRO/2003/Moriori-Lesson.htm

This is not weaponry, but in my opinion is something that can assist the understanding of weaponry.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Mark

I have read that during the North African campaigns of WWII the Germans were in dread of the sound of Scottish bagpipes, as they signalled the presence of the Highland regiments, who they considered to be very fierce fighters (a pretty good estimation, I'd say). The Scots would even play the pipes at the front during the night for their psycological effect. Nothing like hearing the sound of your worst enemy to keep you up at night and/or give you nightmares.

Thank you so much for those words Mark. Absolutely music to my ears!
As Alan has noted, the pipes can present most unnerving noise to many, especially with that connotation, but they can truly be beautiful in many arrangements, especially in stirring ceremonies. I will never forget seeing "The Black Watch" and it was in the early 1980's just after the tragic loss of U.S. Marines in Lebanon, there was a tribute that was indescribable.

My uncle was in N.Africa in WWII, actually with the Rangers Battalion, in Colonel Darby's Rangers.

Alan,
Thank you for the info on the Moriori, absolutely fascinating, and your point on the significance is extremely well placed.

All very best regards,
Jim

[Andrew]

You're Scottish, Jim?

The battle-cry or such "spirit yells" as the Korean kihap and Japanese kiai have definite martial application. Not only can such shouts serve to enbolden a fighter, but they can assist in focusing attention, technique and power. They will often startle an opponant.

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Andrew!
Actually I'm not, but my great grandparents were Highlanders from Skye and Jura...and my wife insists that I get very different when I get my hands on the Drambuie...and on our first date...the bagpipe music I put on had anything but the desired effect I planned ! Miraculously she stayed with me anyway

Excellent points about the battle cries, which of course were used with great effect by the Scots as well as they charged. In the South, the Rebel yell was pretty well known in The War Between the States (as I was always corrected when I lived in Nashville and mentioned what I called The Civil War).

All very best regards,
Jim

[Battara]

If I understand right, the Apache were freaked when they first saw wild men wearing women's dresses torturing small animals in their arms. Their first meeting Scottish pipers in combat.