| Tekpi | |
|---|---|
 Two antique weapons. Below is the smaller Indonesiantekpi and above is the Okinawansai. | |
| Type | Pointed melee weapon |
| Place of origin | Unknown (possiblyIndonesia[1] or India) |
Thetekpi[2] is a pointed melee weapon fromSoutheast Asia. Known astekpi inMalay, it is calledchabang orcabang (Dutch spelling:tjabang meaning "branch") inIndonesian,[3]siang tépi (雙短鞭lit. 'double short whip') inHokkien, andtrisul (ตรีศูลlit. 'trident') inThai. It consists of a pointed metal main prong, two shorter metal side prongs, a one-handed hilt, and a blunt metal pommel, giving it the appearance of a small trident of sorts. More than a weapon, thetekpi was also an importantHindu-Buddhist symbol. It is similar to theOkinawansai.
Thetekpi consists of a pointed metal main prong, that projects from a one-handed grip, two shorter metal side prongs, which project from the opposite sides of the base of the main prong and point in the same direction as it, and a blunt metal pommel, that attaches to the bottom of the grip. The two side prongs are usually curved to further facilitate disarming opponents from their weapons. The length of thetekpi ranges from 12 in to 19 in (30 cm to 49 cm).
Thetekpi is believed by some to have been derived from theancient Indiantrishula, a trident which can be either long or short-handled. Thetekpi itself is occasionally referred to as atrisula, especially in Indonesia. The earliest evidence of thetekpi comes fromSrivijaya inIndonesia where it was originally used defensively like a shield.[1] thistekpi was used by the nobles of the palace. Other sources propose that it was brought to Southeast Asia from China,[4] but thetekpi inSumatra andMalay Peninsula predates its earliest known use in China[1] and it seems unlikely for the Chinese to introduce an Indian weapon to a region already heavily influenced by theculture of India. Use of thetekpi probably spread with the influence of Indian religion and eventually reachedMalaysia,China,Thailand, and other parts ofIndochina.
Tekpi is a weapon typically wielded in pairs, with one in each hand. It is utilized just like its shape would suggest, as it is a weapon used for fast stabs and strikes similar to a knife or akris. But it is quite versatile and can be used in other ways as well. Defensively, thetekpi is useful at effectively countering bladed weapons. The two side prongs can be used to catch the opponent's weapon and block or entrap it, or to even disarm the opponent of it completely. When rotated so that the point of the main prong is facing towards the user's elbow, the pommel could be used to deliver powerful blows, while the main prong is kept against the forearm to block attacks. When not in use, thetekpi are hung at the waist.
Indonesian traditional weapons, armors, and premodern gunpowder-based weapons | ||||||||||||||||||||
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