#african weapons

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This image is what sent me down the rabbit hole of pre-colonial Congolese weapons. This one in particular is a sword!

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The sword of the day is the ikakalaka.

Also known as the konda, this sword originates in the Congo. Usually made to be one-handed weapons, and surprisingly light ones at that, the weight distribution made it an extremely effective slashing weapon. Like many types of sword, this one came to be seen as a symbol of status among the Mongo people who created it, and there are ornate ceremonial examples of the blade as well as more utilitarian ones.

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The Sabre/Saber of the Manding (Mandingo) From West Sahara

The Sabre/Saber of the Manding, originating from the West Sahara, is a captivating emblem of the rich heritage and cultural legacy of the Manding people. This traditional sword, revered for its remarkable blend of artistry and practicality, holds a special place in the hearts of the West African community, particularly in regions such as Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, and…

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Ceremonial Blade Sickle blade, Nigeria Ceremonial blade Verre, Nigeria Hand forged iron, leather 14.5" (37 cm) long Early 20th century

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This striking weapon was crafted by the Songye people (which I found out is what modern day Congolese refer to as the “Basonge”) of the Democratic Republic of Congo, whose elaborate shape and craftsmanship was symbolic of the authority and power held by the local chief. More than a ceremonial object, it was used in grim executions: the executioner would tie the head of the prisoner to a bent tree branch, and with one swift decapitation, the tension of the branch would fling the head into the forest.

It is such a shame that parts of our history and craftsmanship are no longer present in our homeland. Many of those weapons were taken during the time of colonization, and today pieces like this one are kept very far away—for example, this one is kept in the St. Louis Art Museum located in Missouri, USA.

I’ve been to the National Museum of Congo countless times and I’ve never seen these weapons.

[cutecuttlefish]

The sword of the day is the akrafena.

The akrafena is an African sword from the Ashanti people of modern-day Ghana. It is a deeply symbolic weapon, and as such generally features numerous intricately made symbols on the hilt, blade, or sheath. Probably the most noteworthy feature of this weapon is the grip; the dual-globe design is quite distinctive, and not something found in any other sword I’ve seen. Like many other African swords, the akrafena also saw ritual use; swords used in this manner were often unsharpened.

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The sword of the day is the ida.

The ida is a sword from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, used for both hunting and war. It features a distinctive, leaf-shaped blade, narrow at the hilt and wide at the tip, that could be either single or double edged. During warfare, poisonous herbs and peppers would be put on the blade, ensuring that a cut would be lethal. Though the blade looks simple, the shape makes it deceptively complex to forge, and the four symmetrical grinds on the blade are a hard thing to pull off.

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The sword of the day is the khopesh.

This is a really early sword design from Egypt, dating from before we had efficient iron smelting or even written records of any kind. As a result, the khopesh was made from bronze, as opposed to iron or steel. It actually functions similarly to a battleaxe, with only the outside of the curve sharpened, though the inside could be used to hook and pull a shield or an arm in combat.