An urumi (Malayalam: uṟumi; Sinhalese: ethunu kaduwa; Hindi: āra) is a sword with a flexible, whip-like blade, originating in modern-day Kerala in the Indian subcontinent. It is thought to have existed from as early as the Sangam period. [~600BC-300AD]

The urumi is handled like a flail but requires less strength since the blade combined with centrifugal force is sufficient to inflict injury. As with other “soft” weapons, urumi wielders learn to follow and control the momentum of the blade with each swing, thus techniques include spins and agile manoeuvres.

These long-reaching spins make the weapon particularly well suited to fighting against multiple opponents. When not in use, the urumi is worn coiled around the waist like a belt, with the handle at the wearer’s side like a conventional sword.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urumi

  • @GiantRobotTRexEnglish
    6•4 months ago
    • Easy to carry
    • Easy to conceal
    • When slashed around, creates a very dangerous bubble around the user that can keep multiple enemies at bay
    • Can be several meters long, giving it more reach than most polearms
    • Effective against shields since the end can wrap around the shield to hit the enemy
    • Look badass

    It’s not meant to be a mass produced weapon that gets distributed to everyone in the militia. Spears are far and away a better choice for that. It takes years and years of training before a fighter should even consider learning how to use one. But in the hands of an elite warrior they can be incredibly deadly.