Flyssa
Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:Short description 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.
Characteristics
These weapons have blades of various sizes from Template:Convert, 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 who derived it from the name of the tribe that 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 Script error: No such module "Lang". is also used and is said to be derived from the Turkish "yatagan".[1]
