African sickle swords

Jim McDougall · 27th October 2023, 03:58 AM

This really is a fascinating topic, and it is hard to follow sometimes as the names of the tribes seem to vary through transliteration, and the terms for the weapons themselves are equally hard to follow.

It seems in these various tribes of Congo regions the throwing knives, while following the same multi blade theme, are varied notably with terms being different in the same way.

I have but one example of a sword of the Congo which has some relation to the 'sickle swords', note the half moon fixture at top of blade near hilt, which I understand is to attach a leather strap. The rounded shape of the blade seems to correspond to one of the blades on the 'kpinga' throwing knife.
References have called this a 'war sickle' of Boa (Baboa) Nsakara and Yakoma tribes among others but it seems to be a form of the 'mambele' as yours.

The attached image is from "The Four Feathers", starring Heath Ledger (2002), a truly phenomenal film.
Note the raised Zande sword in the background.

Edster · 27th October 2023, 01:35 PM

My favorite Four Feathers is the 1939 version. Very good depictions of the Hadendawa and their weapons.

Maybe available on this YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukpcHG5h528

Ed

Jim McDougall · 27th October 2023, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edster

My favorite Four Feathers is the 1939 version. Very good depictions of the Hadendawa and their weapons.

Maybe available on this YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukpcHG5h528

Ed

Right Ed, know what you mean! The 'old' movies are the best, and in researching these old films, especially back to the early years in Hollywood, it is well known the studios used actual weapons. Bannerman had nothing on these guys, in fact, he probably supplied much of the stock the studios used as props.
I recall some years back when a guy I knew went to an auction where the studios were cleaning house in their warehouses.
The stuff that was acquired by so many collectors was astounding.
Rudy (Valentino ) himself had become quite a collector of old swords acquired during making of films.
Oh.....the old days!

G. Mansfield · 28th October 2023, 10:31 PM

Here is an Azande prestige sickle sword. The hilt is carved elephant ivory with the typical black linear lines usually seen on Azande work, often on ivory arm daggers. The blade is forged with little decoration. Early 20th century , likely 1920 or 1930 whereabouts. Apologies for the dim lighting conditions, but the kitchen fluorescents are the brightest area on this gloomy fall day.

-Geoffrey

Sajen · 28th October 2023, 10:35 PM

So far I know only the Ngombe bero from Changdao and the Ngombe mambeli from Wildwolberine related, the enomo, Benge, Boa and Bandia people from Jim is another sickle sword. But I am not an expert at all.

kronckew · 29th October 2023, 10:47 AM

My Mambele sickle sword:

Peter B. · 3rd November 2023, 05:37 PM

Here are three maps showing the different types of sickle swords and execution swords.
The maps are from the Tribal Arms monographs Vol.1 No.1-3 by Elsen (1,3) and Gosseau (2).

These three volumes describe in detail the weapons depicted and their respective origins.

Jim McDougall · 3rd November 2023, 06:06 PM

Peter thank you for posting these! These are remarkable visual aids to geographically locate the variant styles and tribal associations key to them.
These tribal arms monographs are invaluable, and though there are the language barriers (I think they are in French?) the material is excellent through these kinds of visual presentation.

27th October 2023, 03:58 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,190	This really is a fascinating topic, and it is hard to follow sometimes as the names of the tribes seem to vary through transliteration, and the terms for the weapons themselves are equally hard to follow. It seems in these various tribes of Congo regions the throwing knives, while following the same multi blade theme, are varied notably with terms being different in the same way. I have but one example of a sword of the Congo which has some relation to the 'sickle swords', note the half moon fixture at top of blade near hilt, which I understand is to attach a leather strap. The rounded shape of the blade seems to correspond to one of the blades on the 'kpinga' throwing knife. References have called this a 'war sickle' of Boa (Baboa) Nsakara and Yakoma tribes among others but it seems to be a form of the 'mambele' as yours. The attached image is from "The Four Feathers", starring Heath Ledger (2002), a truly phenomenal film. Note the raised Zande sword in the background. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 27th October 2023 at 04:21 AM.

28th October 2023, 10:31 PM	#4
G. Mansfield Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Colorado Posts: 91	Here is an Azande prestige sickle sword. The hilt is carved elephant ivory with the typical black linear lines usually seen on Azande work, often on ivory arm daggers. The blade is forged with little decoration. Early 20th century , likely 1920 or 1930 whereabouts. Apologies for the dim lighting conditions, but the kitchen fluorescents are the brightest area on this gloomy fall day. -Geoffrey Attached Images

28th October 2023, 10:35 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	So far I know only the Ngombe bero from Changdao and the Ngombe mambeli from Wildwolberine related, the enomo, Benge, Boa and Bandia people from Jim is another sickle sword. But I am not an expert at all. Attached Images

29th October 2023, 10:47 AM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	My Mambele sickle sword: Attached Images

3rd November 2023, 05:37 PM	#7
Peter B. Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: Germany Posts: 43	Here are three maps showing the different types of sickle swords and execution swords. The maps are from the Tribal Arms monographs Vol.1 No.1-3 by Elsen (1,3) and Gosseau (2). These three volumes describe in detail the weapons depicted and their respective origins. Attached Images

27th October 2023, 01:35 PM	#2
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 411	My favorite Four Feathers is the 1939 version. Very good depictions of the Hadendawa and their weapons. Maybe available on this YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukpcHG5h528 Ed

3rd November 2023, 06:06 PM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,190	Peter thank you for posting these! These are remarkable visual aids to geographically locate the variant styles and tribal associations key to them. These tribal arms monographs are invaluable, and though there are the language barriers (I think they are in French?) the material is excellent through these kinds of visual presentation.