Flyssa (Flissa) Sword
Iflissen Lebhar Tribal Confederacy
Kabylia, Regency of Algiers, Ottoman Algeria (Algeria)
Early 19th century (ca. 1800)
Wood, brass, iron
Blade: 68,6cm (4,8cm Maximum Width)
Hilt & Blade: 82,2cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2019
Collection Number: 14

Ex. French Private Collection (2019)

The flissa is the traditional weapon of the Iflissen Kabyles, an ethnic Berber group originating from the Atlas Mountain Range in Northern Algeria. Their weapons range from small knives to very long swords, most of which are very consistent in design using brass inlays and geometric motifs.

This example is the sword version of an early form derived from the Ottoman yataghan. Older flyssas have a more solid, simpler construction, have a better weight balance, and are usually less fanciful than their later counterparts. They are also shorter in dimensions and have a broader recurve to the blade.

The straight single- edged steel blade is broad with an outward curve before recurving at 3/4 blades length tapering into an acute sharp point. The blade reaches a maximum width at 4,8cm. Heavy in construction and darkened patina by a high carbon content. Traditional triangular geometric brass inlays, scrollwork, and zig-zags are inlaid and engraved for almost the entirety of the blade. The last 1/3 length of blade has a false edge. Of special interest are the motifs at the base of the blade, likely a symbol in warding off the evil eye in Amazigh culture. Thickened spine with brass zig- zags. Steel bolster inlaid with more zig- zag patterns. The zoomorphic shaped handle is carved from wood riveted to the tang and covered in brass sheet repoussé decorated in geometrical patterns, scroll, and line work design. Some loss of brass to the handle. The hooked pommel is reminiscent of Ottoman Balkan arms such as the bichaq.

A powerful and early true fighting sword of the Kabyle resembling the yataghan shape. Having a heavy, wide blade with highly decorated brass panels of superb quality. It's one of the nicest old style flyssa swords that I have seen.

[1] Claude, Eric. 2020. “The Small Catalog of Moroccan and Algerian Edged Weapons”. Pages 156 – 161

[2] Spring, Christopher. 1993. “African Arms and Armor”. Pages 21 -24

[3] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=2833

[4] https://african-weapons.com/gallery?4-flyssa-79-x-5-cm-kgrk

[5] https://african-weapons.com/gallery?0-flyssa-normal-long-wide

[6] https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/a-rare-north-african-sword-flyssa-kabyle-algeria--41d4f3ca22