Tekpi

<h2 id="description">Description</h2>

<p>The <i>tekpi</i> 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 the <i>tekpi</i> ranges from 12 in to 19 in (30 cm to 49 cm).
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<h2 id="history">History</h2>
<p>The <i>tekpi</i> is believed by some to have been derived from the <a href="/facts/Ancient_India/ntYkAYDQ">ancient Indian</a> <i><a href="/facts/Trishula/TGX7eQ3G">trishula</a></i>, a trident which can be either long or short-handled. The <i>tekpi</i> itself is occasionally referred to as a <i>trisula</i>, especially in Indonesia. The earliest evidence of the <i>tekpi</i> comes from <a href="/facts/Srivijaya/SruwFBQu">Srivijaya</a> in <a href="/facts/Indonesia/vQnWU3IW">Indonesia</a> where it was originally used defensively like a shield.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> this <i>tekpi</i> was used by the nobles of the palace. Other sources propose that it was brought to Southeast Asia from China,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> but the <i>tekpi</i> in <a href="/facts/Sumatra/Fo192kJb">Sumatra</a> and <a href="/facts/Malay_Peninsula/BrBger2u">Malay Peninsula</a> predates its earliest known use in China<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> and it seems unlikely for the Chinese to introduce an Indian weapon to a region already heavily influenced by the <a href="/facts/Culture_of_India/GjHPLXPR">culture of India</a>. Use of the <i>tekpi</i> probably spread with the influence of Indian religion and eventually reached <a href="/facts/Malaysia/8zbUMzCP">Malaysia</a>, <a href="/facts/China/lTjIXY5p">China</a>, <a href="/facts/Thailand/GCUnN4JK">Thailand</a>, and other parts of <a href="/facts/Indochina/5pknI7yy">Indochina</a>.
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<h2 id="technique">Technique</h2>
<p><i>Tekpi</i> 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 a <a href="/facts/Kris/b5sPL26G">kris</a>. But it is quite versatile and can be used in other ways as well. Defensively, the <i>tekpi</i> 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, the <i>tekpi</i> are hung at the waist.
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<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul>
<li>Indonesia portal</li></ul>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Sai_(weapon)/a3Yc2YIC">Sai (weapon)</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Trishula/TGX7eQ3G">Trishula</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Weapons_of_silat/DMvxhY06">Weapons of silat</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1"><p>Shamsuddin, Sheikh (2005-07-28). The Malay art of self-defense: silat seni gayong. North Atlantic Books. p. 51. ISBN 9781556435621. <a href="9781556435621" target="_blank">9781556435621</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:2"><p>Wilkinson, Richard James (1901). A Malay-English Dictionary. Kelly & Walsh limited. p. 246. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=relNgWfO7eEC&dq=chabang&pg=PA246" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=relNgWfO7eEC&dq=chabang&pg=PA246</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:3"><p>Draeger, Donn F.; Smith, Robert W. (1980). Comprehensive Asian fighting arts. Kodansha International. p. 181. ISBN 9780870114366. <a href="9780870114366" target="_blank">9780870114366</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:4"><p>Albert G Van Zonneveld (2002). Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago. Koninklyk Instituut Voor Taal Land. ISBN 90-5450-004-2. <a href="90-5450-004-2" target="_blank">90-5450-004-2</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:5"><p>Draeger, Donn F.; Smith, Robert W. (1980). Comprehensive Asian fighting arts. Kodansha International. p. 181. ISBN 9780870114366. <a href="9780870114366" target="_blank">9780870114366</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
</ol>

Tekpi open-in-new

Tekpi