Mambele Sickle Sword

[RobertGuy]

Following this with interest and the general idea that these might not have been terribly effective as weapons. I had a suggestion from another forum that swords such as these are primarily used as currency. Anyone heard of this?

[Martin Lubojacky]

Yes - ceremonial blades were used as a currency (e.g abnormally big spear blades).

Besides this there were "status" swords, but I am not sure if this is the case this long Zande sickles.

This blades are long and not too much thick, made of a relatively soft iron at the same time (you can bend it down easily) - I am of the opinion, that it was not effective weapon (maybe Zande had some special fighting tactics or fioghting art ...?!?). I could not be too much effective even for stabbing from behind.

[Martin Lubojacky]

Sorry for the keying mistakes --- not me, but it could not be effective for stabbing ...

[CharlesS]

Many of the sickle swords had the function of going around the enormous shields of the various peoples of the region. Eventually, they became status symbols. Some of the heavier Ngombe/Ngbandi ones were even used as executioner's swords I believe.

[Sajen]

Sorry, double post!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Many of the sickle swords had the function of going around the enormous shields of the various peoples of the region.

This is exactly what I read somewhere, this "swords" was used to pull down the enemys shields. But I don't know if this is correct.
In "panga na visu" it's written on page 132 that this knives are from the Ngombe, Doko, Poto, Budja and Ngbandi and called bero or mambeli.
Here is an interesting video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTgmxKjY--c

Regards,
Detlef