Ilwoon

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Ilwoon with a straight tip
A Cuba man with an ilwoon and a spear

The Ilwoon or Ilondo is a sword of the Cuba from Central Africa .

description

The Ilwoon was the most important sword type of the Cuba. The blade is symmetrical , on the handle it is narrow, towards the point ( location ) it becomes wider. It ends either flat like a chisel or semicircular. The handle is made of wood and has a disc-shaped knob which ends with a small pin. The handle is usually provided with carved decorations and decorative elements made of copper , brass . Even with resin fixed housing of small Nassa- and cowries the ornament serve. The total length is 50–70 cm.

The Ilwoon was a weapon of war, at least in the pre-colonial era, until the colonial powers banned inter-tribal fighting. After that, it also played a major role in traditional dances and funerals of dignitaries. According to legend, the sword goes back to King Shyaam aMbul aNgoong , who united the various chiefdoms in the first quarter of the 17th century. He is also said to have decreed that the Ilwoon should not be worn openly in times of peace. Even today the sword is carried in a sack-like sheath made of fibers from the bast palm . The Cuba make exact replicas of the wooden Ilwoons for ceremonial purposes.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Zirngibl & Kubetz: panga na visu. 2009, p. 311
  2. ↑ Spring: African arms and armor. 1993, pp. 88-89
  3. ↑ Zirngibl & Kubetz: panga na visu. 2009, p. 311
  4. ↑ Zirngibl & Kubetz: panga na visu. 2009, pp. 207-209
  5. ↑ Zirngibl & Kubetz: panga na visu. 2009, p. 311
  6. ↑ Spring: African arms and armor. 1993, pp. 88-89
  7. ↑ Spring: African arms and armor. 1993, p. 90

literature

Web links

Commons : Ilwoon  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files