Macana
| Macana | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Information | |
| Weapon type: | Striking weapon, throwing weapon |
| Designations: | Block Club, Tiki, Apootoo |
| Use: | Weapon, traditional weapon |
| Creation time: | around 14th century |
| Working time: | around 14th century - around 1521 |
| Region of origin / author: |
South America , Aztec and Inca Empires |
| Distribution: | South America |
| Overall length: | about 57 cm |
| Handle: | Wood, vegetable fibers, |
| Particularities: | Often decorated with traditional carvings |
| Lists on the subject | |
The Macana (Spanish club, also block club) is a Central and South American club and battle ax that is used by the Taíno tribe in various South American countries.
history
The Macana were developed by various cultural groups in South America . The earliest example of the Macana weapons is the Macuahuitl , a striking weapon of the Aztecs and Inca (language: Nahuatl ), a pre-Columbian people in South America. The Macuahuitl is a sword-like club with obsidian edges inserted on both sides . The macana and the Asháninka club are two of the few clubs from South America.
description
The macana is made from hardwood . A strong branch or a suitable piece of tree trunk is worked on until it resembles a square wood in its basic shape. Then it is processed further so that it tapers from the ends towards the middle. The end of the handle ( booklet ) is smaller than the head piece (see drawing). The thinnest point is wrapped with dried vegetable fibers (for example coconut or sisal ) to ensure a better grip. In many examples, a stone ax blade is attached to the head of the weapon with the help of tree resin . A cord made of vegetable fibers or leather is attached to the end of the handle in order to fix it to the wrist.
See also
literature
- Bernabé Cobo: Inca Religion and Customs. Translated and edited by Roland Hamilton. 2. paperback printing. University of Texas Press, Austin TX 1990, ISBN 0-292-73861-7 .
- Jonathan Haas: The Anthropology of War. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge et al. 1990, ISBN 0-521-38042-1 ( A School of American Research advanced seminar series. = A School of American Research book ).
- George Cameron Stone : A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries and in All Times. With an introduction by Donald J. LaRocca. Courier Dover Publications, Mineola NY 1999, ISBN 0-486-40726-8 .
- Henry Swainson Cowper : The Art of Attack. Being a Study in the Development of Weapons and Appliances of Offence. 1906