Billao

For the VDC in Nepal, see Belawa.

Shortsword or long dagger

Billao

A billao shortsword.

Type| Shortsword or long dagger
Place of origin| Horn of Africa
Service history
Used by| Somali
Wars| Dervish resistance (1896–1920)
Specifications
Mass| 9 oz (260 g)
Length| 17 to 25 in (43 to 64 cm)
Width| (2.5 in (6.4 cm) (blade)

* * *

Blade type| iron or steel; pointed, double-edged
Hilt type| horn
Scabbard/sheath| sheepskin

A billao (Somali: billaawe), also known as a belawa, is a horn-hilted Somali shortsword or long dagger depending on blade length. It served most notably as a close-quarters weapon in the Dervish State, at the turn of the 20th century.

## Features

[edit]

The billao has a double-edged, leaf-shaped, asymmetrical blade and a three-pronged pommel. One-pronged pommels with the metal tang protruding out from the center of the hilt have been reported. Together, the grip and pommel are 6.75 in (17.1 cm) in circumference. The billao's blade is made of iron or steel, and is 10.5 in (27 cm)" long and 2.5 in (6.4 cm)" wide.[1][2] Though other horn types are also used, the handle is typically made from the horn of buffalo.[3] In total, the dagger is 17.25 in (43.8 cm)" long.[1] The sheath is made of sheepskin, and the sword is worn on a belt around the waist.[3]

It is said to have originated in the Togdheer, Cayn and Sool occupied regions of present-day Somaliland

## See also

[edit]

* List of swords

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Somali billao with sheath and belt
2. ^ Somali billao short sword
3. ^ a b Somali warrior

## External links

[edit]

* Somali warrior

* v
* t
* e

Sword types and classifications by region and historical era

* Swordsmanship
* Thrusting swords (Edgeless)
* Curved swords (Single-edge)
* Straight swords (Double-edge)

Europe|

| Prehistory|

* Bronze Age sword
* Khopesh

|

Ancient period|

* Iron Age sword
* Harpe
* Gladius
* Xiphos
* Kopis/Falcata
* Makhaira
* Spatha
* Sica
* Rhomphaia
* Falx

Post-classical period|

* Migration Period sword
* Viking sword
* Arming sword
* Longsword
* Claymore
* Falchion

Early modern period|

* Zweihänder
* Spada da lato
* Katzbalger
* Cinquedea
* Estoc
* Espada ropera
* Swiss degen
* Colhona
* Karabela

Late modern period|

* Rapier
* Sabre
* Cutlass
* Basket-hilted sword
* Small sword
* Hunting sword
* Pistol sword
* Shashka
* Spadroon
* Sword bayonet

China|

| Ancient|

* Jian
* Dao

|

Medieval|

* Hook sword
* Zhanmadao

Ming – Qing|

* Liuyedao
* Wodao
* Changdao
* Yanmaodao

Modern|

* Dadao
* Miaodao

Korea|

| Bronze Age – Gojoseon|

* Liaoning bronze dagger

|

Iron Age – Three Kingdom Era|

* Hwandudaedo

Goryeo and Joseon era|

* Bonguk geom
* Wungeom
* Four Tiger Sword

Japan|

| Yayoi – Nara periods|

* Chokutō
* Tsurugi

|

Heian – Kamakura periods|

* Tachi
* Ōdachi
* Kodachi
* Nagamaki
* Tantō

Muromachi – Edo periods|

* Wakizashi
* Katana

Meiji period and beyond|

* Guntō
* Iaitō
* Ninjatō
* Shikomizue

India|

| Ancient|

* Khanda
* Urumi
* Aruval

|

Medieval and modern|

* Firangi
* Kastane
* Talwar
* Pulwar
* Kayamkulam vaal
* Pata

Western and
Central Asia|

| Prehistory|

* Bronze Age sword
* Khopesh

|

Ancient period|

* Iron Age sword
* Acinaces
* Parthian Long Sword
* Xiphos
* Kopis/Falcata
* Sasanian Sword

Post-classical period|

* Arab sword
* Scimitar
* Shamshir
* Kilij
* Turko-Mongol sabre
* Yatagan
* Mameluke sword

Early modern period|

* Qama
* Kindjal

Indonesia|

| Early period|

* Mandau
* Niabor
* Parang
* Balato
* Gari
* Surik

|

Late period|

* Keris bahari
* Klewang
* Sundang
* Langgai tinggang
* Parang nabur
* Sikin Panjang

Philippines|

| Pre-colonial|

* Balasiong
* Bangkung
* Banyal
* Barong
* Batangas
* Bicuco
* Bolo
* Dahong palay
* Gayang
* Ginunting
* Gulok
* Kampilan
* Kalis
* Karambit
* Lahot
* Laring
* Panabas
* Parang
* Pirah
* Pinuti
* Sanduko (Binangon)
* Sansibar
* Sundang
* Susuwat
* Talibong (Garab)
* Utak
* Wasay

|

Colonial era|

* Balisword
* Espada y daga
* Hagibis
* Tenegre

Mainland
Southeast Asia|

| Classic stage|

* Dha

|

Post-Classic stage|

* Krabi–krabong

Cambodia|

* Preah Khan Reach

Thailand|

* Phra Saeng Khan Chai Si

Mesoamerica|

| Pre-Columbian era|

* Macuahuitl
* Macana

|

Africa|

| Ancient Egypt|

* Khopesh
* Acinaces

|

Mainland|

* Ida
* Kaskara
* Nimcha
* Flyssa
* Shotel
* Billao
* Takoba

* v
* t
* e

African traditional weapons and bladed tools

Swords|

* Akrafena
* Billao
* Cimpaba
* Flyssa
* Ida
* Ikul
* Kaskara
* Khopesh
* Nimcha
* Ngulu
* Shotel
* Takoba

Daggers & knives|

* Mambele
* Onzil
* Seme
* Sengese
* Trumbash

Choppers & machetes|

* Nzappa zap

Impact weapons|

* Iklwa

Pole or spear weapons|

* Assegai

Flexible weapons|

* Knobkierie
* Rungu

Miscellaneous weapons|

* Sjambok

Shields|

* Nguni shield
* Glagwa
* Nguba

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