A closer look at an African sickle sword (Mambele)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 พ.ย. 2024
- Quite an interesting sword design and most likely very effective. The blade is made of iron and relatively soft, compared to steel. Weapons like this were used in Central Africa by various tribes, in the area of today's southern Sudan, southeastern Central African Republic, and northern Congo.
Demonstration of techniques with the sickle sword:
• The Mambele (Sickle Sw...
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Did you see those Warriors from Africa? They had curved swords. Curved. Swords.
Made me smile. Thank you.
***** Awesome comment! 8-D
***** Wait... why is that familiar? I know I heard that before but I can't place it.
L. Wolf It's a skyrim reference.
*****
Mmm... oh right, I remember now.
This is really informative, cause people tend to think that African civilizations fought with sharpened sticks and stones in the middle ages and after.
Adam, some still live in huts.
@@The_Custos by choice, of course. As indigenous people in Brasil
@@The_Custos They enjoy nature
@@The_Custos African schools are actually alot, and I mean alot harder than most western public and most private schools. And you seem extremely distant so it may be hard for you to grasp. About the circumcision, it happens to both genders so the whole save women point is invalid. People in villages are usually farmers as they're needed in society. I've stayed in Africa for about five years and almost all of what you said was false. The pedo thing is completely and utterly wrong. People here take that shit to the extreme. Forget life in prison, you'd be beat with whips and then put on deathrow. Africans have alot of kids which is true but theirs nothing wrong with that if they can take care of them. Immigrants are everywhere, that's not a valid argument against the African people. And most African countrys are doing amazing right now. Kenya, Uganda, and such are close to western society. Places like Somalia and Ethiopia are improving drastically aswell. It's not right for western society to try to westernize people who don't like that culture. Your argument didn't make much sense as it seemed more like a vendetta than actual criticism. You've been watching way to much fox, well atleast it isn't CNN.
@@The_Custos You never seen the Sami of Europe?
Skallagrim,
I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for posting this video and for giving my school a shout out.
Thank you,
Da'Mon
This is awesome
Da'Mon Stith I will definitely give you a look!
Da'Mon Stith that video was really cool. definitely wouldn't want to mess with one of those swords.
Thank you brother for being who you are and teaching African Arts to the world.
Curved blades definitely changed my perception of regional combat in certain eras.
FYI the "very exotic weapon" shown at 9.27 is a tool used by farmers in Europe. in the german speaking area it's called a "dreschflegel" and it was mainly used to seperate the chaff from the grain. in order to fight with it when called to arms, the farmers would equip it with metal spikes, as shown in the picture. i don't know if it was widely used in Europe but in Switzerland it certainly was.
jojoamann
I know, but it's unusual as a weapon. It's really more of an improvised weapon.
Yeah it is. As mentioned it was used by farmers who couldnt afford a decent weapon
jojoamann The conversion of threshers or flails used for grain in agriculture is not unique to Europe either. Nunchaku are exactly that. All that differs is the geographic location from which they derive.
***** So were most early polearms. If you want to arm conscripts who farm for a living, make it something they already know the basics of.
jojoamann must have really sucked to get called to arms back then. they didn't even provide them something to fight with. imagine being the guy with a simple farming sickle against some one with even a bit of plate or mail and a real weapon
From what I've read, Dacian warriors used similar sickle swords, but two handed(!) ones against the invading Romans. The Romans wore armour that covered only the torso, not the arms, and with the bent, scythe-like blade the Dacians could hack off the limbs of the Roman soldiers relatively easily, so after some defeats the Roman troops sent into Dacia got specialized armour with extra part to protect the shoulders from the sides.
So many bad comments, thank you for restoring my sanity.
TH-cam Comment ???
Yes, it was name the Falx, used to hit the heads over the shields.
Funny thing, they only adapted the gladiators manica with that purpouse
i know there is probably some decoratively phallic reason for the "ball sack bulge" on top of the handle, but it serves a practical purpose as well. the handle is attached to the sword by hammering over the bottom, this means that it presses the handle upwards, the "sack" is tapered so as to give something for the handle to be pressed up into. this firmly locks the handle into position. - mechanical engineer
Step 1: Strike opponent's shield
Step 2: Pull shield, attempt to hook hand.
Step 3: If hand hooking fails or otherwise hindered, thrust the false edge against opponent's forearm or face.
Never know, it could work.
Ethiopian and Somali Warriors did this often.
I would love to see more content in advanced sickle sword fighting!
Fucking hell. Bonus points to the sword for being menacing as hell.
Nice, African swords! I wouldn't mind seeing more of those.
***** Thank you!
*****
Very nice, thank you!
There’s nothing 404
@@johannesvonmalos7505 Lol, umm the video ^
@@markm2092 i recall a link which is now gone i refered to that as a dud
Very old video I know, but on the off chance you haven't found more information on this blade since I thought I'd throw in what I know from my own research. This shape of sword shows up most often among the Zande of the Congo and South Sudan, as well as some of their neighbours, and was used as part of a personal kit that would include a thrusting spear, several javelins, and among the professional warriors at least, a set of kpinga throwing blades. The mambele would come out after the rest of the weapons were used up.
As far as protective gear goes, the Zande themselves didn't wear much, relying on woven rattan shields of considerable height. A number of their Sudanese and Congolese neighbours, however, sported armours of quilted cotton (often stuffed with kapok fibre or wads of paper), animal hides (including antelope, buffalo, and elephant) and even mail. So while documented examples of its use against those armours haven't turned up, it's highly likely, given the size of the Zande territories and the diversity of their foes, that it encountered them at some point.
The hole might be for a rope, to wear it like a gun. A blade shaped like that could not be sheathed, so it was probably carried over the shoulder, and the hole in the end was to keep it from flopping around.
Watching this video made me subscribe to your shows. You love what you do and from that passion I learned. Enough so that I want to watch more. Thank you for the time you have invested thus far.
+R1D9M8B4
Thanks for the positive feedback.
I'd like to point something out about the video. while I don't think African Warriors of that region wore armour, there are accounts of African warriors in West Africa wearing cotton armour similar to Mesoamerica, and in East Africa metal armour was actually used quite a lot.
Randygandalf95 That's correct. But there was also a decent bit of chainmail used in parts of west and Northern Africa as well. You won't see it in illustrations often due to the cloth outfits worn over the mail.
Maodifi I call bullshit as they had no chainmail at all as theirs no archeological evidence at all not until much later late 18th century after being over run bye Persian Islamic forces did African warriors start too wear metal plate and very poor chainmail bye that time Europe had already perfected it and started making it in the 14th so they where influenced much later and not nearly as refined even Damascus and chaimail too springsteel was adopted bye Islamic forces from Europeon blacksmiths that where captured as a result of the religious battles Catholic Christian vs Islamic peoples of the time .....in the end between 14th too 18th centery Europe Norse and Japanese metalergy was the best but even Japanese metalergy only developed because of lack of fine iron and lack of quantity well Norse and Europeon metalergy was advanced because of constant warring and demand but was plentiful
I'd say that the sickle was also used as a jungle clearing tools as well as it being a weapon, it makes sense that these type of weapons were used primarily in C. Africa.
It amazes me that exotic weapons like this reflect so much about their warfare techniques and I fucking love it!
Please cover more weapons from around the world
So . . . I'm assuming they didn't end their opponents rightly in Africa?
No...they mutilated them rightly.
they threw their blades
They threw their curves.
If you had asked 20 years ago, someone might have been alive from the era this sword was made in.
So for those that want a short(ish) description of how the sword is used, continue to read. The end of the blade, how Skall had said it would be good for piercing, is mainly the primary use of the weapon. When used to parry, the user manipulates the blade to 'grab' his sword and move it away in which direction the user decides. On the offensive, the end of the blade, as mention before, is the primary function. The very end is used to hook onto the limbs of the opponent and pull, allowing it to cut with the end of the blade and the inner curve while pulling the sword. As mentioned in the video, against a shielded opponent it allows the user to render his shield useless and still able to attack your opponent. The inner curve of the blade should not be a primary use, mainly to be used to make contact during an enemy's strike and when cutting with the aforementioned technique, involving hooking the blade with the opponents limb. I haven't used this sword but with the video linked in the description I was able to make accurate judgments, so if anyone who used the sword notes something that is wrong or inaccurate, say so.
Da' Mon Stith on youtube knows ALL ABOUT this sword of africa how to fight with it
33% of comment section: "Ew what an ugly african sword"
33% of comment section: "wow what a cool and unique design"
33% of comment section: "isnt this supposed to be shaped like a dick"
101% of comment section: "cant throw pommel 0/10"
Alot of idiots exist. What else is new?
LlamasOnJUPITER *ew what an ugly african sword*
I got sickle sword anemia.
Its interesting that it seems to be mainly african swords with these really curved blades. In fact, I'd be interested to see if curved blades in european swords started appearing around the same time as the european powers started putting flags in various parts of the world.
Actually now I've gone this far I'd like to see how the meetings of various cultures have affected the designs of their weapons in general.
I believe that the crusaders brought curved blade designs back from the Middle East and this gave rise to the falchion- a blend of European straight sword and middle eastern curved blades, namely scimitar and shamshir
This falchion I believe have rise to the saber
Well Europeans had form the start straight blades to pierce armor and they were actually easier to make, but yes, Europeans brought more exotic designs from elsewhere(most of the exotic blades were actually traded and then remade in Europe).
Evan. Thracians made Romans and Greeks learn what a curve blade like that can do. :D
Evan. Greetings,
Thank you for the comment.
There are just as many straight swords used in Africa as curved. I believe the more exotic shapes grab our attention because of their novelty but there leaf-shaped blades, broadswords, and gladius type blades that are wide spread as well as blades that Europeans dubbed as cutlasses and sabres.
Evan. Have you seen those warriors from Africa? They hawe curved swords. CURVED swords.
well it´s pretty interesting and a good video
but to be serious
it´s useless, it has no pommel
how are you supposed to throw it?
***** Yeah. I'm amazed at how elitist and racist many of these comments are. Folks just can't appreciate something different or African it seems. I wish I was surprised by this.
Caramel Johnson Don't talk ill of pepe
Overmind97 With that curvature... maybe as a boomerang
kamenwaticlients No racism or elitism here ... He was making a joke referring to another video where skal talked about a technique involving unscrewing and throwing your pommel at your ennemy for a diversion.
***** skall im not entirely sure but i'm pretty sure the sword is supposed to represent the male penis. No joke! in old African culture the penis was a sign of power. and if u observe the blade you may notice that the tip is similar to the shaft of the penis and the little bump this is representative of the testicle. I'm sorry if not all my info is correct but i'm not joking please find out if you can!
Have you seen those warriors from Africa?
They got curved swords.
Curved. Swords.
It looks something like this
thx captain obvious
you don't hear that much from the guards do you
Is it african or european?
referring to swallow
I found your channel by accident once when it was recommended by TH-cam due to one of my searches. While your videos aren't the most glamorous hyper active types that you generally find on TH-cam, your genuine appreciation and curiosity shine though and kept me coming back because I was genuinely interested in learning as much as I could about historical weapons and possible uses.
I apologize for the relatively long winded comment but I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to make your videos. I always enjoy watching your videos and always feel like I've learned something new.. Keep up the good work and best of luck to you!
Yes, yes , this sword is all well and good but it has one glaring flaw...
How the hell am I supposed to end my opponent rightly without a pommel to throw?
Lmfao
This
what's the joke with the pommel? I saw this kind of comments in a lot of videos and I still don't get it.
+Nikeayuiop I see no joke how else can you finish an ooponent
+Nikeayuiop
/watch?v=jETLCm7k3sU
Am a Zande from South Sudan, Western Equatoria State, Nzara County. This sword is called Mangbere, the traditional Azande used it as a fighting tool. The Azande also have another fighting sword called "Kpinga" that was also shown in this video... I have Kpinga that belonged to my grandfather..
Zande and the people of North congo are from the same family.
I had to chuckle when you mentioned the relationship between archaeologists and the term 'ritual'. I'm close to despising it's use because it makes me think the writer is just lazy. And what's wrong with saying "we don't know"? With examples like this sword it's often a matter of not knowing better since archaeologists often aren't martial artists.
On the 'guard': maybe it's an evolutionary rudiment/atavism. In earlier forms may have been of use but if for example the fighting style has changed and the guard became obsolete and remaind as an ornament. Another idea of mine is that it looks like a cleat. Maybe some string or twine was attched there
der voss well, the problem is, historians and scientits have made such a habit of not knowing about stuff, that most of them have gotten to the point where they they believe teh first thing they think of and then anyone or anything that disproves that is wrong.
Yeah, especially the older generation seems to disrespect non historical, e.g. engeneering, input into historical questions. But i think another angle on a problem can be refreshing
der voss from what i have heard, if you tried to use the techniques that historians used and tried to use it on the modern world, it would be so completely off that it is laughable, like worshipping cartoon characters as gods for example.
der voss To add to your point about the seemingly useless guard, I'd say the use of shields for blocking would make a complex hilt less useful, like the gladius or viking/dark age swords which we know were used mostly with shields.
der voss This is actually not a true. It's obvious you aren't archaeologist. I'm studying it and the books are full of words like "maybe", "probably", "we are not sure", "we have no evidence", "we cannot proove". Also even quite obvious things are in modern archaeology being replaced by neutral terms (like neutral "laten culture" instead of "celts" or "pointy object from bone" instead of "prickle" forexample) just because we don't know. If you find something strange, it's often called like "probably ritual object" or something, that's ok I would say. Modern archaeology is trying to be carefull when we don't know for sure what something is but also you must make some conclusion. It's not about being lazy! First you describe the object technicaly and then you separately make some conclusion about what it is or what it could be.
it is a weapon designed to be used with a shield in order to defeat a shielded enemy, hence the shape of the blade meant to bypass a shield block, as you shown it well in this video and of course the lightweight allowing for quick feints and more wrist flexibility. A very similar design was also used in North Africa (Lybia)
Very interesting sword indeed !!! :)
I love seeing blades from lesser known areas, I learn a lot
The hole is for carrying the thing via a string... Seriously, one thing you must know for certain... African weapons are 100% functional. Nothing unnecessary on there. Africans were always very much devoid of useless things as far as any sort of work tool is concerned. Weapons are work tools as far as Africans are concerned. I'n South african and very interested in local cultures so I might give you some answers if you had any questions. Nice channel, by the way.
Carrying it with a string by the end of the blade? I doubt that
@@brokenwave6125 you tie one end of a sling or shoulder strap on that hole, and maybe the other end under that flanged guard. I can grok it.
Thanks for your recognition and appreciation of African culture Skallagrim. You never cease to impress me.
I imagine a fight between two people who are wielding this same weapon would look odd
Thank you for posting a link with the technique was very interesting to watch this sword in action
Skallagrim may I suggest reviewing a Kris sword, I am of Filipino decent and I'd like to see how one such as you may review this kind of weapon. I've seen reviews of it made by martial artists that practice Silat but never someone with limited knowledge of its usage.
Christian Wilkett-Lumba Ahh Kris Sword. Weapon from South East Asia. I would like to hear his opinion on the thing as well. Unfortunately, selling Kris here is illegal.
Is it because of its primary function as a push blade?
Christian Wilkett-Lumba I also want him to review a kampilan. Those things are badass.
Ha ha ha. Those things look like snakes.
i like how different cultures have different weapons and fighting styles. the diverse designs are really cool.
To be serious, African sickle swords were meant to look like male genitals. That is why the tip is thicker and why there is a decorative piece at the base of the blade. It was supposed to be symbolic of ahem...penetration. I assume it was supposed to be shameful to be pierced by the blade in that particular culture. That is all I really know about them, but I thought it was pretty cool that you made a video on such an uncommon blade.
"African sickle swords were meant to look like male genitals."
*Look at the sword....*
...... Really ? It much more look like a hook .... For me .....
Have you seen those warriors from African ? They have hooked sword . HOOKED .SWORD .
There is absolutely no information on Mambele stating any such thing... They were not meant to look like a male genital, they are curved to reach around the shield... Also not all central African weapons that resemble the Mambele in shape and style look that... so your statement is false...
Wow, he's actually specifying which part of Africa instead of generalizing the entire continent. Hats off to you skallagrim.
Nobody else finds the image from the manual in 9:24 interesting?
I didn't know african people were comon in europe during the middle ages.
*****
Traveling great distances was a lot more expensive and inconvenient back then but some people still did it.
***** what do you think of sythes? (hope I spelled it right)
Brenden Edwards I know the history of scythes I just wanted his oppinion
Brenden Edwards thanks for tring
***** Huh, now that I think about it, it IS odd that that man is African. I can't say I remember seeing any rendition of an African in that style of clothing before.
that khopesh is quite pretty
and that kukri is *shivers* amazing
"I know that makes a lot of collectors cringe." Well, you are more a user than a collector, aren't you?
Thiago Monteiro they aren't mutually exclusive. you can collect things that you use.
I actually bought an antique sickle from an antique store, fixed it up, and now I use it almost daily.
This piece reminds me of a Shotel.
Cool sword. Since polaxes got so common in the late middle ages I've assumed hooking is a great thing to do on the battlefield, especially against armored opponents. The mandele seems like a weapon deviced against armor and shields, I wonder what kind of environment it was developed in. Great video!
you din't link the vid in the description.
Da'Mon Stith
Grace Moontail
I forgot to add the link but it's there now.
That is very interesting, never seen that one before. Always been fascinated by sickle swords.
the blade is meant to be phallic, I've seen it on some other afrikan swords
No it's not.
Fun video! Interesting to see what kind of shapes weapons have around the world
i wonder if that thing was used as a farming tool as well as a weapon, kinda like the kama, nunchucks, and sai's
I am SO glad you got that new camera, it makes such a difference!
You know what that blade shape really invites? Decapitating. Especially on horseback, you can just reach around your enemy's neck and pull back, and it's off with their head.
The hole is probably to pass a string to wear it at some way, because isn't possible make a scabbard for this thing.
I'm honestly appalled by some of these comments; it's like, as soon as certain people see the word Africa, they go on a tirade of racial slurs and ignorant remarks. It's like a tick, something they can't control, that just has to come out.
Its actually hilarious to me how some white people freak out when there are positive subjects about black/African people.
AIONBERSERKER when I saw africa in the title I already knew what to expect in the comments
amen.
I’ve not seen a single racist comment. Just comments talking about how it’s ugly
Chad Tep Not true, they have no positive about y’all. You just keep acting negative and portray y’all self that. You wanna see change. Change your people.
I'm dying from him describing how he loves the design of this thing knowing quite well what shape it's supposed to be
ill take you up on that bladesmithing offer if you are still up for it, under one condition though, you have to end whatever you test it with rightly
So you're going to put a detachable pommel on it? :)
Yes, I would definitely still be up for it. Oddly enough nobody else has offered to try making one of these.
I still don't have a proper power hammer, I mostly work on small things like door handles and coat racks as a hobby/side job, but I reckon I could get something like that finished in a month or two depending on how much free time I have
Are there any specific design details I should pay attention to?
Ideally it would have a distal taper, otherwise if you stick to the overall shape it should be good. Although instead of that odd thing above the handle you could either skip it or put a more functional guard on it.
Distal tapers are difficult to grind but I'll try my best
That's actually an interesting design. The curv at the end means you can use it sort of like a hatchet, but with the reach and pointedness of a sword.
5:31 *Actually* Skallagrim plenty (not all) of african warriors did actually where armor, obviously not full plate armor like Knights and Samurai but more Chained armor and Gambesson/Animal Skin in general leather type armor, but of course that has to do with the climate, it’s impossible to wear full iron plate armor in hot african weather and not have a heat stroke, but they did infact wear armor here’s a video for reference th-cam.com/video/8bHp8Zef4RI/w-d-xo.html I suggest you check this channel out it’s very informative on african history another source is “Hometeam history”
Some of the more geared out warriors on the Benin bronze plaques looks like they're wearing some kind of heavy armor tho. I try to find pics with really good detail, but for the most part it seemed a wealthy warrior had chainmail, plates tied on with ropes, leather skirts with bells, a bunch of bells and other charms, helmets, neck guards, and what seems to be wood shields.
I wouldn't doubt some of the iron masks in Cameroon and the surrounding area were used for warfare. Unfortunately, I wouldn't doubt any real example of iron armor types from pagan africa is either locked in a museum or got melted down to make guns and stuff for ww1/2 :/
Crazy looking blade.
awesome!
Maybe you should know that there are also sickle weapons in Indonesia and they are no less exotic. These weapons are called clurit and calok and these two weapons are also divided into various types. These two weapons are usually used in duels called carok by the Madurese tribe
The link is not in the description.Where did you put it?
Da'Mon Stith
Daniel Berg
Sorry, it's there now.
Definitely worth clicking the link to see the demo of techniques with the mambele
No link in desc to the channel you're talking about.
aethertech
I've added it now, forgot to do that at first.
In one fantasy book I was reading an army got swords shaped like this so that they could hit over the shields of their enemies directly downwards into the top of their helmets. I have no idea how these are normally used, but that use made sense to me as well.
at first glance I dismissed it as a terrible blade, but you've demonstrated it is quite wieldy and useful against shields. Seems to be a great cutter also. Only problems are its frailty I think.
It was probably used to go around shields. A similar sword was used in some of the eastern European civilizations against the Romans
If your opponent is unarmored, but has a good shield, this looks like a great weapon design.
Weapons are designed to defeat, or at least cope with whatever armor is the standard of that day. I've never seen African warriors going around in plate mail or chainmail. So why have a hardened steel sword designed to puncture or injure someone in armor, if your opponent is going into battle either bare chested or with only arrow padding armor.
Also this design looks great for a zombie slaying weapon, because I don't see any advantage to a thrust attack on a zombie its only effective if you hit them in the head, and why risk a sword getting stuck while fighting a horde? Though hardened steel would be better as repairs are difficult post apocalypse.
Chain Mail was quite common in west Africa
That's a very interesting blade shape, no doubt devastating against lightly armoured/unarmoured opponents. During my trips to London, I've gone to the British Museum a few times, usually the socioanthropological/cultural displays are my favourite. It was there I first saw one of these up close, never had the luck to handle one though. Thanks for the video, the cut test with the plastic jug was rather impressive.
You didnt link the video / channel
Da'Mon Stith
ahightechtyler
Yes, I forgot to add the link. Fixed now.
I think the guard is for punching. First you deflect the blow with the light blade, and when inside the range, throw a punch to the arm to cut tendons, or to the head.
I felt in love with this sword btw.
Oh I think I can answer that bump on there. I remember a show called ultimate warrior with someone talking about a African weapon and pointed out some weapons are shaped like penis and a nut sack.... They made it that way to express masculinity. I know it's weird..... but their culture didn't consider this too ridiculous or inappropriate. It was just some cultures did. Not all of them obviously but some. That bump could be a very subtle reference to testicles.
+sharkfinbite I saw that too. The whole sword looks like a penis.
David Thai I am glad I am not crazy haha
Yeah. I think the show was deadliest warrior though.
+sharkfinbite Search for "Ultimate Warrior" and imagine him having a documentary about weapons :D It would certainly be entertaining!! watch?v=cF4ZTcuhixc
Also +Skallagrim, the Benin Empire of Nigeria and other Yoruba states HAD fully traditionally armored warriors, with iron shields and helmets. Other Empires wore chain mail inspired armor too, such as those in Mali (Armored Hausa Calvary ceremonial warriors today are a good reference perhaps) and christian Sudan/Aksum. I'd like to note, iron working wasn't the only the most prominent metallurgy in Africa. The second oldest carbon steel furnaces on earth were accidentally discovered in Kenya. Search Haya metallurgy
Uhm so where is that link to that channel, can't find it. Maybe I just have one of those derp moments again
Da'Mon Stith
thanks guys
The point, I assume, for the shape of the blade would be to get around an enemy's shield. Central african shields were pretty skinny so it looks like you could drive the point right into the torso or hook limbs from signifigantly further away than a sickle could. Really a neat weapon for a culture with a very different fighting style than you would've seen in europe at the time. I'd love to see a steel version or one that could be used two handed. Maybe on a ballistic gel torso or something? I imagine that thing could pierce your left lung through your right side if you could get some force behind it.
African shields weren't skinny... They were large, that's why the Mambele was designed to be long enough that you would be able to reach around the opponents shield...
Lokele, Topoke, Sokele, Songye, Ngala, Ngombe, Ngbandi, Azande, etc. all used very large shields in combat...
Sweet Jesus Africa, you scary!
Kasi Karuppan Care to share why?
+Xzener cuz I said so. I'm sry bb
Kasi Karuppan Its ok hunny. luv ya
+Xzener i luv yous too
they have kids now
Good vid, interesting stuff. All us sword enthusiasts have mixed feelings about such a sword against the mainstream, yet you remained positive and like us thought it would be fun to test out and look at the bright side... amazing no end him rightly jokes yet lol
9:10 + the manual shows how to use farming tools for combat(some are slightly changed, for instance spikes are added to the 9:27 beaters of wheat.)
Another stellar video, I found it very interesting. Definitely going to check out that link.
I thought blades were more effective when curved away from the target (like a scimitar). I thought scythes' and sickles' curvature had something to do with collecting the wheat. What's the deal?
+Tobias W
An outwardly curved blade is mainly for slicing draw cuts, an inwardly curved blade is for chopping into the target.
it's generally accepted that extreme forward curved blades blades such as this are typically meant for reaching around or hooking an opponents shield.
+zistorbar Pretty sure the low availability of metal in the region had more to do with it than heat. Generally speaking, people tend to care less about sweat than they do about lethal blows.
+Dan Lopez
is it sorta like a falx?
I've read basically no books based on African culture, but the one I did makes it seem like warriors would take the head of their opponents, which might even be why we call certain African blades as headhunting blades, so maybe the curved sword was to help catch the neck, or as mentioned above (somewhere), to open up a stomach and eliminate a foe quickly.
Very interesting analysis, thanks for sharing!
Quite an interesting sword.
(Edit: Would that weapon at 9:26 be evective?)
Well, technically it's not even a weapon
Spoontoast Those are two-handed flails, sometimes a peasant would use an agricultural flail as an improvised version of one. You probably google them up to see some more pictures of them.
tou hou Thanks. I´ll do that :)
Very refreshing to see some exotic designs that make one think of different combat systems.
Another sickle sword is the Dacian falx. I would appreciate hearing your opinion on this feared weapon of the antiquity. Of course, it has its share of historical exaggeration like claims of cutting horsemen and the horse on which they rode in one blow, but I can understand how it would be feared for its ability to cut limbs, especially in an age of short swords.
one day in africa
forteque: every blade has its advantages
jimmy: yup
billy: if only there was a way to get all the advantages...
jimmy: hmmm....
and then the mambele was born
P.S i dont know any African names
+Captain SkullFace Sword + Sickle + Axe + Penis = All the best things to poke people with :)
Captain SkullFace akwasi
Kosi
Kofi
Yao
Kwame
Kabelah
Kujoe
Those are some names but they’re all Ghanaian
Very interesting item... although not the most aesthetically pleasing sword shape (that's subjective, of course).
Thanks for sharing, Skall!
I dont like it...Looks like junk to me. Oh well, each to their own.
Reginald Scot It is junk, it was made by primitive africans and doesn't compare to most swords, that and its made to look like a dick.
***** Wouldn't have taken it for a thrusting weapon.
***** Is there a problem with it being made by primitive africans? Judging by your ignorant judgement I assume that you have never seen anyone fight with a sickle sword ,as the techniques are pretty worked through considering them mostly being invented by ''primitive africans''.
***** Although I won't dignify your comment with a response I do I understand your skepticism. The sickle sword isn't the perfect weapon but it has great potential as a cutting implement and it's umm "thrusting' capabilities are subtle but effective. It doesn't have the range of a long sword but if you are on the receiving end of it, you are definitely going feel it.
***** By people with machine guns, yes.
Very interesting. Thank you for all your great content.
i think i got a dirty mind. its kinda phallic.
What sword isn't?
***** you're kinda phallic.
***** Thats Exactly what it`s supposed to be. All examples of this type of sword I have seen have had this shape, in many cases it`s VERY obvious
That is a deliberate design choice, as also seen in the Kpinga. Also, I know it's a poor choice of shows for an example, but deadliest warrior episode of zande vs aztec at least gave some demonstration of that type of weapons use. Take what they say on that show with a grain of salt (and probably a shot of tequila) but it is somewhat interesting to watch the weapons be used against targets other than water bottles or tatami mats
It's not only a weapon, but also a phallic symbol, hence the semicircular protrusion near the hilt, resembling testes.
This is not true and there is information to verify such idiotic statement...
That's not the only kind of sickle that's painful In africa
This is a really cool sword i don't normally go for these kind of exotic swords but im actually considering buying one!
It doesn't have a pommel. Can't end them rightly. 1/10 IGN
Both entertaining and interesting, thanks for the video mate!
It's so sad seeing so many racist and ignorant comments here. I came here to see what my European brothers thought of a weapon from my relatives' people and so I did. Though many were positive, too many were negative. Constructive criticism is good but racism and ignorant bigotry is very sad and very wrong. Please white brothers, let us be friends and discuss and compare our cultures in a respectful manner.
I am from Addis Ababa. My Abyssinian ancestors wore armor and had metal shields. We also had long bladed swords with similar design to your longswords. Other ancient and medieval Africans such as the Chadians of the north and Edos of Benin ruled by the Ogiso Kings wore gambeson armor.
jam1148 amazing how every african in the world is a reletive to you because you are black, every asian man must have every asian in the world as relatives and same goes for whites and hispanics?
you dont have to be white to have common sense
anyone denying africa isnt a shithole is lying
Brandon Sparkman How would you know their deleted. Stop lying to yourself
Yeah i havent seen a single racist comment. just people saying its ugly af.
Shut up you SocialJusticeWarrior
Perhaps the large curvature is so that it can reach around an enemy's shield?
What's with Africans and dying from sickle shaped things?
I've read an article long time ago and it explained how it is precisely used to strike the opponent around their shields. It's a shame I don't have the link saved.
Harambele...
No...just, no.
Swords out
The Zande crafted their weapons to have some sort of phallic design as a symbol of masculinity. The 'guard' is likely a part of that motif.
Also, I believe that this is meant to counter shield wielding opponents.
That's gotta be one of the ugliest looking weapons I've ever seen.
+Doomguy
Ugly weapin for ugly wounds.
+Doomguy They're shaped to look like dicks so fair enough.
Iain Clark
Hmm... dickshaped wound... what a insult towards the receiver of that blow :P
This comment chain...smh
Doomguy "muh dick" throughout the ages
I Checked up the link and in the right hands that is a rather scary weapon!
WE WUZ CURVED SWORDS
Moishe Leiboshekelwitz but ur not racist
Troll God hahaha jajaja fufufu
Braden Rich and youre a future criminal in prison
That knife as well was really brutal looking. I would not want to get stabbed by someone with one of those.