List of historical weapons by region of origin and ethnic group
This list of historical weapons by region of origin and ethnic group provides an overview of historical weapons and weapon types, broken down by region of origin and ethnic group. Modern weapons that were developed in the 20th or 21st centuries can be found in other reviews.
Africa
Breakdown by region
North africa
- Arm knives common in the Tuareg , Nubia and Sudan
- Chepesch common in ancient Egypt
Central Africa
- Trumbash common in central Africa and Ugandan regions
Breakdown by ethnic group
In this section, the ethnicity is put in front; the known objects of these ethnic groups are indented below.
Alphabetical overview of the objects
- Afena
- African arm knuckle
- African throwing iron
- Arm knife
- Bakatwa
- Bali sword
- Basakpwa
- Baule dagger
- Beja dagger
- Boa short sword
- Bornu armor
- Bwaka (sword)
- Chepesch
- Dogon dagger
- Djibba
- Eben (sword)
- Epalang
- Catch ax
- Fang sword
- Flyssa
- Fon ax
- Ful dagger
- Ful sword
- Gurade
- Hamba dagger
- Hwi
- Ibaka (status weapon)
- Ibia
- Ifangbwa
- Ikulimbaang
- Ilwoon
- Imbemba
- Ishilangu
- Isizenze
- Itapi
- Itudri
- Kaskara
- Kete
- Khodmi
- Kilonda
- Knobkierrie
- Konda sword
- Kota dagger
- Koummya
- Crocodile shell
- Crooked Knife (Upper Guinea)
- Cuba ax
- Cuba dagger
- Kuba knife (hook blade)
- Kusu dagger
- Lafongo knife
- Libaka
- Ligonda
- Lokele sword
- Luba sword
- Luba Shankadie ax
- Luguru ax
- Lulua sword
- Mandinka sword
- Mangbetu dagger
- Mbala ax
- Mbeeli ya phoko
- Mbole dagger
- Mbuun sword
- Mossal
- Mpuku
- Mugusu (weapon)
- Mumuje ax
- Namambele
- Nande sword
- Nayin
- Ndome (shield)
- Ngombe dagger
- Ngombe sword
- Ngulu (weapon)
- Nikutshu dagger
- Nombo sword
- Nshaal
- Nubian arm dagger
- Nzakara dagger
- Ovimbundu sword
- Paamba
- Pende sword
- Ring dagger
- Disc knife of the Momvu
- Seme
- Senufu ax
- Senufu saber
- Shoka
- Shotel
- Silepe
- So sword
- Songe dagger
- Sudan battle ax
- Sudanese horse harness
- Sudan armor
- Takouba
- Telek (dagger)
- Tetela dagger knife
- Trumbash
- Tshimphaaba
- Tsonga (weapon)
- Tuareg short sword
- Tuareg mandingo sword
- Tubu-Daza
- Umuhoro
- Woshele
- Yaka sword
- Yakoma status ax
- Yoruba sword (rounded blade)
- Yoruba sword (curved blade)
- Central African sickle weapon
Asia
Breakdown by region
China
- Ting Kia (armor / protective weapon)
Tibet
South East Asia
Alphabetical overview of the objects of Indonesia
- Alamang
- Andar-Andar
- Arit
- Awola (spear)
- Bath-bath
- Bath k
- Baju Empurau
- Baju Lamina
- Baju Rantai
- Balato
- Baling Baling
- Baluse
- Band ring
- Warning
- Baradi
- Barong (sword)
- Baru Lema'a
- Baru Oroba
- Basi Aje Tado
- Basi Baranga
- Basi Paka
- Basi parung
- Basi Sangkung
- Basi Sanresang
- Basi Takang
- Batu Rajut
- Beder
- Beladau
- Belida
- Bendo
- Besi Lima
- Bodik
- Buko (sword)
- Bum'Bere Tofao
- Cayul
- Chunderik Klewang
- Co Jang
- Dange
- Dayak cutting knife
- Dohong
- Dua Lalan
- Ekajo
- Gadoobang
- Gagong
- Gajang
- Gari (sword)
- Golok
- Hampang Hampang
- Hemola
- Hulu (booklet)
- Indan (club)
- Indonesian war jackets
- Indonesian trisula
- Jimpul
- Jono
- Klebit bok
- Sumpitan
- Utap
Alphabetical overview of the objects
- Alamang
- Andar-Andar
- Arit
- Awola (spear)
- Bath-bath
- Bath k
- Baghnakh
- Baju Empurau
- Baju Lamina
- Baju Rantai
- Balato
- Baling Baling
- Balisong
- Baluse
- Band ring
- Warning
- Baradi
- Barong (sword)
- Baru Lema'a
- Baru Oroba
- Basi Aje Tado
- Basi Baranga
- Basi Paka
- Basi parung
- Basi Sangkung
- Basi Sanresang
- Basi Takang
- Batu Rajut
- Beder
- Beladau
- Belida
- Bendo
- Besi Lima
- Biliong
- Bodik
- Bow (weapon)
- Bokutō
- Bolo (knife)
- Bujo
- Buko (sword)
- Bum'Bere Tofao
- Bō
- Bogu
- Cayul
- Chigiriki
- Chinese Judgment Sword (short handle)
- Chinese Judgment Sword (long handle)
- Chunderik Klewang
- Chochin-Kabuto
- Co Jang
- Daishō
- Dange
- Dao (saber)
- Dayak cutting knife
- Dha (weapon)
- Dohong
- Three-storey
- Dua Lalan
- Dō (Kendō)
- Dōmaru
- Dōtanuki
- Eboshi-Kabuto
- Ekajo
- Elephant Dha
- Fakir's Crutch
- Fukidake
- Fukura
- Gadoobang
- Gagong
- Gajang
- Gari (sword)
- Ge (weapon)
- Quilted canvas armor
- Golok
- Guan Dao
- Hachiwari
- Hada
- Haidate
- Haladie
- Hamon
- Hampang Hampang
- Hanburi
- Hanbō
- Hara-ate
- Haramaki
- Hari Bashi Kabuto
- Hatomune-Do
- Hemola
- Hi (blade)
- Horimono
- Horo (cloak)
- Hoshi Kabuto
- Hotoke Thu
- Hulu (booklet)
- Inariyama sword
- Indan (club)
- Indian khond battle ax
- Indian chain and plate armored helmet
- Indian mahratha mace (sword blade)
- Indonesian war jackets
- Indonesian trisula
- Japanese horse forehead
- Japanese armor
- Jian
- Jimpul
- Jin-Baori
- Jingasa
- Jiujiebian
- Jono
- Jō
- Kabeala
- Kabuto
- Kagi-Nawa
- Kaji Kabuto
- Kalijawo Malampe
- Kalijawo Malebu
- Kama (weapon)
- Kampilan
- Kanta
- Karambit
- Karuta Kabuto
- Kaso
- Katana
- Katapu
- Kawagasa
- Kawali
- Kawari Kabuto
- Kekutsu
- Khanda (sword)
- Kikkō
- Kissaki
- Klebit bok
- Klewang Puchok-Meukawet
- Klewang Tebal-Hujong
- Kliau
- Koboshi Bashi Kabuto
- Kodachi
- Kora (weapon)
- Korean officer's helmet
- Koshirae
- Kote (armor)
- Kris
- Kubotan
- Kuda Yari
- Kudhi-wajang
- Kudi
- Kurabit
- Kusari katabira
- Kusarigama
- Kusazuri
- Kogake and Kusari tabi
- Lading Terus
- Ladingin
- Lajuk-Lajuk
- Langgai Tinggan
- Larbango
- Larbido
- Lembing Raja
- Lezam
- Liuxingchui
- Lombu Lombu
- Lopah Petawaran
- Luju Alang
- Luju Alas
- Luju Celico
- Luki (knife)
- Luwuk (sword)
- Makibishi
- Mandau (weapon)
- Manjisai
- Manople
- Manriki Gusari
- Masakari
- Matana
- Mei (forging)
- Mempo
- Men (Kendo)
- Mentawa
- Mikazuki Munechika
- Mughal ax
- Momonari Kabuto
- Moso (sword)
- Mundo (sword)
- Mune (sword)
- Mysoric missile
- Naga belt
- Naginata
- Nakago
- Nanbandō
- Nihontō
- Nodowa
- Nunchaku
- Nuntebō
- Ono (weapon)
- Palitai
- Pamulu
- Patisthanaya
- Peurawot
- Peurise
- Peurise awe
- Peurise Teumaga
- Piso Gading
- Piso Ni Datu
- Punal (weapon)
- Raut (knife)
- Rawit
- Rawit Pengukir
- Rokushakukama
- Ronkepet
- Rontegari
- Ruding Lengon
- Rudus
- Sadeueb
- Sadop
- Sageo
- Sai
- Salawaku
- Sang (spear)
- Sarampang
- Saya
- Sekin (machete)
- Shikomizue
- Shinai
- Shuriken
- Shéng Biāo
- Si Euli
- Seven armed sword
- Sikin Lapan Sagu
- Sod (armor)
- Sodegarami
- Sori (sword)
- Tusk sword
- Suji Bashi Kabuto
- Sumara
- Sumatran double knife
- Sumpitan
- Sundang
- Sune-Ate
- Surik
- Suruchin
- Tachi
- Takula Tofao
- Talawang
- Talwar
- Tambo
- Tameng
- Tandu Tandu
- Tanimbar sword
- Tankō
- Tanto
- Tare
- Tatamidō
- Tatemono
- Tawara (lance)
- Tecchu
- Tekkō
- Tenka-goken
- Tenugui
- Tessen
- Tete Naulu
- Thami (crossbow)
- Tibetan lamellar armor
- Timbei
- Ting Kia
- Tipu Dayak
- Toho (spear)
- Tojaru
- Tokin
- Tonfa
- Toraja brass helmet
- Trabai Temiang
- Tsep-Tsa
- Tsuba
- Tsuka
- Tsukurikomi
- Tsurugi
- Tumba Meujangget
- Tungi
- Tōseigusoku
- Utap
- Valai Tade
- Waki-Biki
- Wakizashi
- Wēku
- Yamabushi armor
- Yanone
- Yari
- Yawara
- Yoroi-dōshi
- Yueyachan
- Yugake
- Yumi
- Zaghnal
- Ceremonial Bali ax
- Zukin (helmet)
- Zunari Kabuto
- Ōdachi
- Ōtenta
- Ōtsuchi
- Ōyoroi
Australia and Oceania
Alphabetical overview of the objects of Australia
Alphabetical overview of the objects of Oceania
- Apa'apai
- Asmat shield
- Australian battle ax
- Baggoro
- Bowai
- Bulibuli
- Cali (weapon)
- Culacula
- Gata (weapon)
- Grere'o
- Gugu
- Shark tooth brass knuckles
- Hoeroa
- Hedgehog helmet
- Kinikini
- Kira (knife)
- Kiribati coconut fiber armor
- Cotiate
- Kujerung
- Leonile
- Lil-lil
- Me-Yarr-Oll
- Melanesian obsidian spear
- Melanesian spear
- Mere (weapon)
- Hornbill club
- Nbouet
- Nifo'oti
- Nifoʻoti (steel)
- Ounep
- Paoa
- Papua New Guinea rattan armor
- Papuan bark belt
- Pouwhenua
- Purtanji
- Qauata
- Quirriang-an-wun
- Sali (weapon)
- Solomon Islands Club
- Solomon Islands Bark Shield
- Taiaha
- Taumangaria
- Tebutje
- Tewhatewha
- Toki-Kakau-Poto
- Toki-Pou-Tangata
- Totokia
- Trobriand war shield
- Trobriand dance shield
- U'u
- Ua (weapon)
- Vanuatu War Club
- Vunikau
- Waddy
- Wahaika
- Watilikiri
- Woomera (weapon)
Europe
Breakdown by region
- Sagaris (weapon) (Amazons, Sythes, Persian Empire)
Greece
Roman Empire
- Aklys
- Amentum
- Arcus (weapon)
- Ballista
- Cetratus (weapon)
- Clipeus
- Clunaculum
- Contus
- Corvus (weapon)
- Falx
- Funda
- Gaesum
- Galerus
- Gladius (weapon)
- Harpax
- Hasta
- Kestrosphendon
- Crow's foot
- Manica (weapon)
- Ocrea
- Onager
- Palintona
- Parazonium
- Parma (weapon)
- Pilum
- Plumbata
- Pugio
- Pugnum
- Slingshot lead
- Sword of Tiberius
- Scutum (protective weapon)
- Scutum from Dura Europos
- Sica (weapon)
- Spiculum (weapon)
- Stick sling
- Verutum
Alphabetical overview of the objects
- Acinaces
- Aklys
- Amentum
- Arcus (weapon)
- Ballista
- Cestus (weapon)
- Cetratus (weapon)
- Clipeus
- Clunaculum
- Contus
- Corvus (weapon)
- Dory (weapon)
- Falx
- Funda
- Gaesum
- Galerus
- Gastraphetes
- Gladius (weapon)
- Harpax
- Hasta
- Hoplone
- Kestrosphendon
- Kopis
- Crow's foot
- Makhaira
- Manica (weapon)
- Ocrea
- Onager
- Oxybeles
- Palintona
- Parazonium
- Parma (weapon)
- Pelte
- Pilum
- Plumbata
- Polybolos
- Pugio
- Pugnum
- Sarissa (weapon)
- Slingshot lead
- Scale armor
- Sword of Tiberius
- Scutum (protective weapon)
- Scutum from Dura Europos
- Sica (weapon)
- Spiculum (weapon)
- Stick sling
- Thureos
- Verutum
- Xiphos
- Xyston
North America
Breakdown by ethnic group
In this section, the ethnicity is put in front; the known objects of these ethnic groups are indented below.
Alphabetical overview of the objects
South America
Breakdown by ethnic group
In this section, the ethnicity is put in front; the known objects of these ethnic groups are indented below.
-
Gavião (Ehnie)
- Parakatêjê War Club (Brazil)
Alphabetical overview of the objects
Web links
- Overview of historical weapons by African ethnic group , at ogun.qc.ca
literature
- Hermann Baumann (ed.): The peoples of Africa and their traditional cultures. Steiner, Wiesbaden. Volume 1: General Part and Southern Africa. (= Studies in cultural studies. 34). 1975, ISBN 3-515-01968-5 . - Volume 2: East, West and North Africa. (= Studies in cultural studies. 35). 1979, ISBN 3-515-02371-2 .
- Hans Dietschy: The American clubs and wooden swords in their relationship to the cultural history of the New World. Dissertation Phil.-Hist. Faculty of Basel. Brill, Leiden 1939
- Walter Hough: Primitive American armor. Government Printing Office, Washington 1895. (Reprint from: Report of the US National Museum for 1893, pp. 625–651 and plates).
- Edward H. Knight: A Study of the Savage Weapons at the Centennial Exhibition. Philadelphia, 1876. In: Smithsonian Institution: Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution ... for the Year 1879. Government Printing Office, Washington 1880.
- Felix Speiser: About protective weapons in Melanesia. In: International Archive for Ethnography. Brill, Leiden, Vol. 40, 1941.
- Christopher Spring: African arms and armor. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC 1993, ISBN 978-1-56098-317-0 .
- George Cameron Stone: A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries and in All Times: Together with Some Closely Related Subjects. Southwork Press, Portland, Maine 1934. (Reprint: Dover Publications, Mineola, New York 1999, ISBN 0-486-40726-8 ).
- Werner Fischer, Manfred A. Zirngibl: African weapons. Knives, daggers, swords, axes, thrown weapons. Verlag Prinz, Passau 1978, ISBN 3-9800212-0-3 .
- Augustus Pitt Rivers (as: Lane Fox): Primitive Warfare. Illustrated from Specimens from the Museum of the Institution. Lecture, June 28, 1867. Royal United Service Institution, [no location] 1867
- Manfred A. Zirngibl, Alexander Kubetz: panga na visu. Handguns, forged cult objects and shields from Africa. HePeLo-Verlag, Riedlhütte 2009, ISBN 978-3-9811254-2-9 .
- Albert G. van Zonneveld: Traditional weapons of the Indonesian archipelago. C. Zwartenkot Art Books, Leiden 2001, ISBN 90-5450-004-2 .