The flyssa, known locally as ajenoui (Kabyle: ajenoui or uturam),[1] is a traditional edged weapon of Algeria produced and used during the 19th century and earlier.[2] It originates from the Kabyle Iflissen Lebhar tribal confederacy.
| Flyssa | |
|---|---|
.png) 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 |  Deylik of Algiers Kingdom of Beni AbbasOther 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 |
Characteristics
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-sized swords. 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.[3]
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 with repoussé 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 and chimaera all being suggested).[3]
Name
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 "Ajenouii" which means 'knife' in The Berber Kabyle Dialect also a word derived from the name of the city of Genoa. The term uturam is also used and is said to be derived from word "yatagan".[1]
References
External links
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