Mambele

Mambele
Example of a Kpinga of the Nzakara and Zande people
TypeKnife, axe
Service history
Used byMangbetu, Nzakara, Zande, Bagirmi, Marghi, Musgum
Production history
Developed fromThrowing knife
A mambele sickle sword at the British Museum.
Variations of the mambele across the top row
A selection of African throwing knives in the British Museum

A mambele is a form of hybrid knife/axe used in central and southern Africa, originating from a curved throwing dagger used by the Mangbetu.[citation needed]

Description

The mambele consists of an iron blade with a curved back section and rearward spike. It can be used in close combat as a hatchet or dagger, or more typically as a throwing weapon. It usually consists of four blades, three on top and one on the side. The curved hook was used to keep the weapon in the victim, and if pulled out, caused further damage. It is typically about 56 cm (22 in) in length.[citation needed] These African iron weapons are thrown with a rotatory motion, and can inflict deep wounds with their projecting blades.

The mambele is also known as:

They vary constantly in form and their use extends across Africa, from the Upper Nile on the east through Central Africa and over to Gabon in West Africa. The "musri" or "mouzeri" throwing knife of the Teda people in the central Sahara is a variant. In parts of Central Africa these weapons assume the form of a bird's head.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Wood, A. J. (4 September 2018). Human world : a visual compendium of wonders from human history. Jolley, Mike,, Lozano, Andrés. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Wide Eyed Editions. p. 82. ISBN 9781847809926. OCLC 1021808923.
  2. ↑ Cowper, H. S. (30 March 2012). The Art of Attack and the Development of Weapons. Andrews UK Limited. ISBN 9781781503591.
  3. ↑ "Chapter 12: Jua Cheza - Path of the Invincible Dragon". Royal Road. 5 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  4. ↑ "Kpinga". Pitt-Rivers Museum. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  5. ↑ Thompson, Avery (15 September 2017). "This Three-Bladed Throwing Knife Will Never Miss". Popular Mechanics.com. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  6. ↑ "Central Africa - History, Countries, Climate, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 24 May 2022.