Flyssa
Flyssa | |
---|---|
![]() A sword-sized flyssa, showing the hilt and the widening of the blade around the point of percussion | |
Type | Sword,Dagger |
Place of origin | Algeria |
Service history | |
Used by | ![]() ![]() Other Algerian tribes |
Wars | Several wars involving Central Maghrebi tribes and nations including: Invasion of Algiers (1775) Invasion of Algiers in 1830 French conquest of Algeria |
Theflyssais a traditional edged weapon ofAlgeriaproduced and used during the 19th century and earlier.[1]It originates from theKabyleIflissen Lebhartribal confederacy.
Characteristics
[edit]These weapons have blades of various sizes from 12 to 38 inches (30 to 97 cm), and can be classed as varying between long knives and full-sizedswords.Whatever their size, flyssas are characterized by narrow, straight-backed, single-edged blades, which come to an acute point. The blades of sword-sized flyssas often widen gradually around the point of percussion, which enhances their cutting ability. The blades are often decorated with chiselled patterns, which are sometimes inlaid.[2]
The hilt has no guard and the junction between blade and hilt is made by a metal bolster. The distal part of the hilt is almost always of wood covered with brass, usually decorated withrepoussé and chasing,and has a characteristic downturned projection forming the snout of a stylised animal head at the 'pommel' end (though the pommel and grip are made in a single piece - the identity of the animal is unknown, with dog, camel andchimaeraall being suggested).[2]
Name
[edit]The blade's name (Flyssa) was given by the French based on the name of the tribe which it originated from (Iflissen). In pre-colonial times, the sword was called"Ajenwi"which means 'knife' in The Berber Kabyle Dialect also a word derived from the name of the city ofGenoafrom which the blades which were used in its manufacture were imported from or the term"Asekkin"from Arabic ("Sekkine").[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^Stone, George Cameron(1999).A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor: in All Countries and in All Times.Courier Dover Publications. p. 234.ISBN0-486-40726-8.
- ^abEvangelista, N. (1995).The Encyclopedia of the Sword.Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 254.
External links
[edit]- Photographof a traditional flyssaArchived2007-11-18 at theWayback Machine