What does the sjambok stand for in Africa?
In Africa, the Sjambok (Sham-Bawk) is a cattle prod, whip, riding crop and an effective means of self-protection, whether from venomous snakes, or from varmints of the two-legged variety! Unlike most western style whips which require a rolling crack to function, the semi-rigid Sjambok is swung like a rod or stick.
What kind of animal is the sjambok made out of?
It is traditionally made from an adult hippopotamus or rhinoceros hide, but is also commonly made out of plastic. A strip of the animal’s hide is cut and carved into a strip 0.9 to 1.5 metres (3 to 5 ft) long, tapering from about 25 mm (1 in) thick at the handle to about 10 mm (3⁄8 in) at the tip.
What does it mean to whip with a sjambok?
sjambok(Noun) A stout whip, especially made of rhinoceros or hippopotamus hide. sjambok(Verb) To whip with a sjambok; to horsewhip. Origin: from the cambuk, and as borrowed in : modern and . Originally spelt in the colonial Dutch transliteration tscamboek.
How big is the strip for a sjambok?
When making a traditional sjambok, a peice of hide from an adult hippopotamus or rhinoceros is cut and carved into a long strip (90-150 cm). This strip should be approximately 2.5 cm (1 in) thick at the handle and then taper to be about 10 mm (3/8 in) at the tip. The strip is rolled to achieve a tapered-cylindrical form.
Is the sjambok a stick or a rod?
Since the Sjambok is swung like a rod or stick and not cracked like a conventional western style whip, the weight, speed and flexibility of the Sjambok’s lash does all the work and little skill is required to wield it effectively.
What’s the difference between a whip and a sjambok?
Unlike most western style whips which require a rolling crack to function, the semi-rigid Sjambok is swung like a rod or stick. The weight, speed and flexibility of the Sjamboks lash does all the work, and little skill or training is required to wield it effectively.
Where to put a sjambok in your car?
Keep a Sjambok handy in your vehicle. Lay it across the dash, stash it behind the seat or toss it in the bed, trunk or boot. Hang one on the wall near the door of your home, shop, barn, coop or kennel.
