Who threw axes besides Northern Europeans? (Spain, origin, military, battle)

[Visit a Library]

I can't recall ever reading about any cultures other than those of Northern Europe where that axe throwing was a part of battlefield combat. Does anybody know of cultures in other regions where axe throwing was often done on the battlefield?

[Thyra]

Paul Bunyan??? Sorry, I could not resist
It does seem that it was mostly Northern peoples that used them...but take a look at this article:Battle axe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[DonCorleone]

Native Americans used a variant of the battle axe: the tomahawk.

[ABQConvict]

It should be noted that the tomahawk was brought by French traders. However, the native Americans who adopted them modified their use with techniques they had invented using clubs/throwing sticks.

In west Africa there is a throwing weapon that is roughly analogous to the throwing axe called a Hunga Munga.

[Visit a Library]

BTW, a throwing axe is usually not the same thing as battle axe.

[AuburnAL]

Originally Posted by DonCorleone

Native Americans used a variant of the battle axe: the tomahawk.

And tomhawks are still carried into combat by some members of the US military.

[Manolón]

The Throwing Ax in Spain was called Francisca. The Ax was popularized by the Franks, hence the name Francisca. Visigoths in Spain used the ax, but they recognized that it came from the Franks. Franciscas became very popular during the Middle Age.

[Visit a Library]

That's very interesting. I had no idea throwing axes were used anywhere in Southern Europe. Thanks for that.

[Manolón]

Originally Posted by Visit a Library

That's very interesting. I had no idea throwing axes were used anywhere in Southern Europe. Thanks for that.

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Well, the Francisca was used in Southern/Western Europe originally by Franks and then by everybody. The Danish throwing ax arrived much later and I guess that it was the design used in Northern Europe.