The True Aztec Macana / Macuahuitl - History, HEMA, and Misconceptions
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- Mysterious, misconstrued, and awesome; the Aztec's quintessential weapon: the Macuahuitl (or Macana). This weapon has seen a rebirth in popularity lately, but unfortunately it hasn't been too well researched an analyzed. This video covers the history of the Macana, some of the misconceptions, and lastly some suggestions on how it should be used.
Here is the link to the Aztec Warfare book, which holds the image of the tipped Macana.
books.google.c...
Polynesian weapons look a lot like the Aztecs Macuahuitl, but instead of obsidian they used shark teeth!
Arrow Head
Oh man I'm not hipster enough for that yet! Lol.
wow
I am so happy that you actually shined some light on the Aztec weaponry and stance. I feel like Messoamericans are easily tossed aside as primitive and under advance, but of course they are not. The points you have brought up is so good, that it actually makes me sad that you dont have enough sub.
An underrated channel talking about an underrated culture group's weapon. Ironic, but i love it. Wish you best of luck!
I like this. I just wish you would refer to the Aztecs as "Mexica", as that was their actual tribe name :) did you ever make that manual, by the way?
These types of weapons have been found as far as New Mexico. It was a pan-mesoamerican weapon much like the medieval broadsword or renaissance pike was a pan-European weapon.
Chris R that is because New Mexico used to be Mexico
Good information, but still, there is a big misconception here: the "flower wars" for capturing prisioners were A form of warfare, not THE form of warfare. If the macuahuitl was for incapacitating only, why would other cultures, who did not capture prisioners, use it? Flower wars where war games with political implications, not actual wars. The aztecs killed: with macuahuitl, with arrows, with slings, with spears, etc.
Side note: there were actually some curved macuahuitl style weapons, the zapotec culture has some depictions of them; kind of a hockey paddle with obsidian blades.
Isahid Rodriguez very good point, that was a mistake on my part for not clarifying. I did not mean to imply that the Macuahuitl was for incapacitating only either.
Which cultures are you referring to which did use the Macuahuitl but did not participate in capturing of enemies for sacrifice?
Maybe were use in deadly context during the tarascos and aztecs war(wich aztecs losts the majority of their army) and the huastecos and aztecs war...
He literally said, "had A series of wars." I didn't take that to mean the flower wars represented their only form of warfare.
@@thepoorhistorian2325 May I know what do you think about inca weapons?
@@oscarclaudio2848 I think that the Inca military overall is incredibly fascinating. Their military was the most well organized in the Pre-Columbian Americas, and it had to be to maintain imperial control over such a huge territory.
The weapons themselves are fairly standard. None stand out as uniquely as the Aztec Macuahuitl, I think their uniqueness and prowess comes from organization. Their popular weapons (ignoring unique or rare ones) are fairly limited, mostly the spear, the club, and the sling. Some interesting tidbits that I picked up was that the Inca did not have many archers, though they had very good slingers. They did hire mercenary archers from the neighboring cultures in the heavily forested areas. The fact that they adapted so well to fighting the Spanish, especially using the terrain to their advantage (the prime example is luring Spanish cavalry into a valley and tumbling boulders on top of them) and using captured Spanish weapons and horses shows their tactical abilities.
I wonder if aztec warriors had a martial art or secret fight techniques
Macuahuitl, maitl= hand, cuauhuitl=wood, and obsidian blade=ixti
The reason why we don't allow thrusting with the macuahuitl in HEMA is NOT because it wasn't used like that by the Aztecs, but because this weapon does not flex, so thrusting with these would fuck up someone's day really bad, that's why I don't allow it in my events, I have been teaching this for a long time
XD, is a good video, i am hispanic, america was 3 empire in the north, today mexico, aztec, in the central area of america mayan and the south incas, the macuahuitl, nobody en latam call macana, was a weapon make by mayan and aztec people, they had a relation good comercial relation and no, not all tribus in mexico was called aztecas, we call mexicas and macua no was a sword was weapon type hammer, the mov was like hit and pull like a samehada in naruto XD, not made for cut, made for tear the meat, thanks for make the video and thanks for inform the people about our ancestors.
Man I wish macuahuitl's were more commercially available. They look sick af. If you so happen to know of any places please let us all know!
Some people compare the wood from our days to the wood to the older ways. I know there is wood so hard an heavy that even a sharp machete just bend, nails bend and also it's a very heavy wood.
I find the macuahuitl to be a personal favourite, so it's good to see it covered and respected. I would say that it is a war club and not a sword, because with swords the weighting is usually near the hilt whereas war clubs have their weight near the end (that said, there are a few swords with very heavy blades). Personally I would say that it is its own category as it can serve as both a blunt and sharp weapon. I find it very surprising that HEMA doesn't score blunt attacks from the macuahuitl, considering if one can score half-swording attacks. I am also interested in making my own eventually, but as I live in Britain, obsidian is tough to get, and I wonder if anyone can recommend a site/company that ships obsidian reliably.
search for mexarte (dot) com, I don't know if they ship worldwide, but the designs, the inlays and the overall work are true pieces of art. The site says they are "battle ready", so I suppose obsidian is properly sharpened.
Thank you, seemed like an interesting site, I did have a look at the macuahuitl that they have, however I am not too keen on having gaps in between the obsidian 'teeth' which their products have, I prefer them with a continuous blade. I think I can always get obsidian from Ebay, besides, always interesting to make something oneself. Thank you again.
K Barkla il send you some friend
Thank you, that is a very kind offer, however when I say that I'll 'eventually' make it, I did mean that I was unlikely to make it in the next few years as I am otherwise occupied. Thank you again, but I think it would be a hassle for both to organise such a deal.
Good video!
Some thoughts on the use of macuahuitls in two hands. I've noticed that many macuahuitls have long grips that could accommodate two hands, but that is not necessarily primarily for using it with two hands, it could have along grip to create a more suitably weight distribution. On the other hand, according to Bernal Díaz del Castillo one Aztec almost completely cut of the head of one Spanish horse using a "montante" (which sometimes has been erroneously translated as broadsword). A montante is of course a two-handed sword, so this suggests that it was at least in this case being used with two hands.
Tananjoh good point. I always assumed his "Aztec montantes" were actually referring to a tepotzili, which is a different weapon, sometimes depicted as essentially a macana-polearm
It could have been what was referred to, but I personally think that in that case Castillo would have called it a spear, glaive or partizan.
Different sized weapons
I've heard that there is a genetic and cultural connection between Oceanian peoples and South American people, so it may pay to look into the Kiribati shark tooth swords, in absence of an original Macuahuitl.
Hmm, well the Mexica are from North America
@knightlyNerd I agree @@Sporkonafork1 Yes they are but the Aztecs weren't the only tribe from Mexico.....there were hundreds. they all come asia may years ago as did polynesians. My grandpas people known as the Seri or Comcaac from an island know as Tahejoc or tiburon in the coast of baja Mexico say that we came from Asia In our stories. We also have a langauage isolate speaking tribe and have been on our island for 10-7 thousand years so our culture is intact and not diluded like a lot of the tribes in Mexico unfortunately. If you look up seri or comaac men, you will see physically they look related to polynesian people. Black hair, wide set nose, and slanted eyes. My polynesian friends also thought the same thing. My fiances mom is over 60% indigenous from zacatecas mexico and did a dna test and found she was 1% polynesian. Polynesians did travel to the America's and there's ton of proof including sweet potatoes, chicken, human remains, weapons, and DNA studies from other indigenous people in Mexico and in polynesia.
Im glad your talking about ancient mexican wepons
I will subscribe to you only because you keep the promise for making a fighting style for the weapon. please make it happen
One of my favourite weapons too. There's really nothing more exotic than historical American cultures
Pretty sure that if they needed one for killing, rather than use it like a saw, they would just place the blades closer together, to make it not serrated. No need to learn a new style.
Why don't we ask the actual descendants of the mexica people how it was done? I am pretty sure they know
Would you be interested in doing a pair of collaborative videos on this topic? We're looking into making a Macana in the near future. JB
Sure thing. You can either message the Facebook page or email jerry4history@gmail.com
Very old Video
The Aztec Kultur cross the mayan culture but they have some ceremonyies like the mayan
Like to Tribut a Life for the sun for the next Morning and the mayan use the the macuahuitl too
But we know nothing about the this 2 tribes. Im thinking they can had contect but not in freedom because this tribes was very brutal
And the incans was a Level to big for the aztecs
Sorry for my english im from Germany but i love the macuahuitl and the Aztec culture
And i went more Information about this weapon to create one i will make the smaller Version but i dont have enough Infos about the smaller one i hope you can help me for this Informations
Yassin Elkhalifi No problem. I have thought about making a guide to construct a macuahuitl on a tight budget, but that is far down the list.
Do you have any sources on the Maya using a macuahuitl? I have yet to come across any clear evidence.
I dont have sources about the Mayas use the macuahuitl but when you see the map of there terretories you will see the mayan are living ther North-west terretories at same time at the aztecs fight other tribes and the Cultures of thies tribes are in some dievces the same they habe some gods like the aztecs and Tribute ceremonies and same weapons like the atlatl , apoztopolli; the bow and arrows AND A MYSTERIES CLUB WITH OBSIDIAN BLADES ON THE SIDES
SORRY ABOUT THIS BIG WROUGHT TEXT MY TABLETT IS DEFECT
I feel like once you enter into two handed weilding, you might be better off with a nice lengthy handled kanabo. No external lacerations for potential sacrifice but definitive danger of internal hemorage as a downside.
Me gustan tus videos Bro , deberías hacer una review de el silbato de la muerte azteca , da mucho miedo el sonido
you just know that shit would hurt!
I like this, I wish I could start a fencing school focusing on the macuahuitl.
Same!
BTW, I have identified 7 stances (possibly six with a variation) based on primary source depictions so far. Hopefully I will make an update video soon.
Because of their expert craft in making a macana and adapting I wonder if they crafted macana from steel/metal from the conquistadors? That last picture looks like a combination of cultures and possibly materials to craft the macana
Hey bro, sorry to impose but could you send me the pics you showed in this vid? Pls, and thank you!
Those "grip" with the fingertips ... is it a joke or what?
not even playing with a little children_ I suppose it is illustrative_ some historical image on which it is based?
Instead of HEMA it would be HAMA=Historical American Martial Arts haha
HAMA is already used for Historical African Martial Arts! Western Martial Arts (WMA) is the preferred phrase :)
@@hailhydreigon2700 Nice!
Is the Hema guide made already?
The first three videos are out. Do a search for "True Macuahuitl" 😁
How is that manual coming along? Are there any sources you know of that I could look at so I don't have to wait too long? Awesome video!
It’s coming 😁 I may actually write the details down, and then make a video or series of videos to cover the basic.
Most of what I’m researching is coming from the various types of records, called “codexes” on which various native cultures recorded histories for Spanish missionaries
I also recommend my favorite book (fiction or non-fiction) The True Account of the Conquest of New Spain by Bernal Diaz. There are no specifics for Mexica combat from a HEMA perspective, but fascinating tactics and descriptions from the point of view of a Conquistador soldier
Great video, nice topic! :)
Liked, Subscribed, and looking forward to the Macuahuitl-guide! :D
I like ZNA's version better :3
The razor blade one...? 🤨
+The Poor Historian no the joke he did...
With it
Lol! Someone deleted an aggressive post that asked about the Mayans... "Maya"?
Anyway, to clarify, I have not really done too much research on the Mayan culture so I do not want to claim as much familiarity with the history, but I have been unable to find a clear source depicting a Mayan soldier wielding a macana, though many casual sites (and some video games) claim they did. Anyone have a source or two?
There are illustrations showing Postclassic Maya using them, probably adapted from the Central Mexicans
I’m on a quest to get a real deal macuahuitl 💯
Good luck, man! If I may be so bold; it's an impossible task from an archeological standing simply because we don't have the stats on original Macuahuitl. We don't know what wood was used, the weight, the length(s), type of adhesive, just because we don't have any surviving examples. But I highly recommend doing as much research as possible. What hardwood was available to 16th century Mexica? what type of adhesive could they have made? Find one that works for the research you've found! Once more, good luck and feel free to share your findings!
Subscribed and anxiously awaiting that manual.
Cahokian erasure!
Mexico is in central America, not North lol
Hi Bran. Despite the name sounding like they are exclusive, Central America is in fact a part of North America. It's a common misunderstanding, so no worries.
@@thepoorhistorian2325 says who? I've only seen gringos making that claim( and Mexicans that *live* in the U.S, it seems they think that it elevates Mexico's status if it's somehow associated with the U.S). Literally everybody else is taught that Mexico is part of Central America.
@@CrazeeFyno its not. North America consists of mexico, USA, and Canada. This is objective information. Central America refers to the countries in between mexico and South america.
Your macana must not be sharp by the way your handling it.
mwillblade yup! (I think I mentioned it)
I made that one with wooden blades for safety and value
Just talking crap your info is pretty good
Most yur wrong on my culture history
Oh sir you are too wrong saying that macahuitl is not to kill, macahuitl can cut in fact a horse head obviously one man head this is afirmed by a spanish conquistador, and the weapon they used to inmobilize was a macahuitl without obsidiana and to stab they used a lance with obsidian head. They really had a great variety of weapons
Tlasojkamati!
Jose Antonio Valencia Caballero Ahmitla
Cool sword or more like a saw. God bless, Proverbs 31
yes the aztec had indeed no military. military was not impressive for the mesoamerican people.
(and they knew indeed nothing about logos philosophy)
HErmoneitis I'm having difficulty understanding. Maybe lost in translation?
But I appreciate your profile picture! 😁
Deutsch: Bei den Azteken gab es tatsächlich kein Militär. Die Mesoamerikaner waren nicht beeindruckt vom Militär.
(und sie wussten tatsächlich nichts über die LOGOS Philosophie)
- > das ma kwa wi tl ist keine Militär-Waffe
They did have military and warrior classes...
You just made this up?
Thank you so much for the video I hope you truly do make a Macuahuitl manual. I get very annoyed by how people look at the Macuahuitl and make rapid fire aromatic remarks and judgments before even giving it a chance. Honestly its what has been discouraging me from seeking out any local fencing groups, everyone is either Asian style crazy or European style crazy. Nobody pays any attention to African or Indigenous American styles.