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Ceremonial axe of the
Songye people
The
Nzappa zap
(also referred to as
zappozap
,
nsapo
,
kilonda
,
kasuyu
) is a traditional
weapon
from
the Congo
similar to an
axe
or
hatchet
.
Uses
[
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]
It has an ornate
wrought-iron
blade connected to a club-like wooden handle, often clad in copper, bronze or brass.
[1]
[2]
[3]
Largely ceremonial, it can be used much like the
American
tomahawk
, both thrown for short distances and as a
melee weapon
in
hand-to-hand combat
. It differs from the usual axe style, in that the blade mounts to looping prongs that affix to the
shaft
.
This weapon derives from the upper Congo region and was used as a brutal weapon in battle. It was usually crafted by the Nsapo people who thrived industrially from iron and copper. The axe is forged from Iron while the handle is made of wood covered in copper. This weapon yields a lot of damage when used mainly in close combat and sometimes directly thrown.
[4]
The Nzappa Zap has a club like handle that flares at the base and has a rounded head. The blade is also attached through a post extending from the handle. Nzappa Zaps sometimes has two or three human faces in the iron head. The axe is ceremonial and usually kept and carried by the chiefs of the Songye. The weapon holds power and significance among the people.
[5]
The axe was used in battle, as a status symbol, and also as a form of currency in trade.
[6]
The weapon is the etymological base of the name "
Zappo Zap
", an infamous Songye tribal group once active in the
Congo Free State
.
Gallery
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See also
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References
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African traditional weapons and bladed tools
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Swords
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Daggers & knives
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Choppers & machetes
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Impact weapons
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Pole or spear weapons
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Flexible weapons
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Miscellaneous weapons
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Shields
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