Mambele

Variations of the mambele across the top row

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

A selection of Mambele throwing knives in the British Museum

Description

Kpinga

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 would have been about 56 cm (22 in) in length. 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:

• Hunga Munga
• Danisco by the Marghi
• Goleyo by the Musgum
• Njiga by the Bagirmi
• Kpinga by the Zande. They were classed as "Court Metal", being produced under the patronage of the Avongara clan, distributed only to professional warriors, and considered status symbols. It was also part of the dowry that a man must pay to the bride's family. Soldiers would carry three or four into battle, hidden behind their shields. They were typically thrown at the enemy from 9 m (30 ft) away.

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 peoples in the central Sahara is a variant. In parts of Central Africa these weapons assume the form of a bird's head.

These knives reflect the culture of Africa before western colonisation, both through their design and use. They can be symmetrical, bulbous, or even multi-pronged. Many are made of rarer and softer materials. These were harder to forge and were a status symbol to their owners.

See also

• Tomahawk

External links

• Poppe, Guido T. Collection of mambeles, Belgium