Machete

A machete is a broad-bladed tool that originated in Central America. It serves two primary functions depending on the context. It can act as an agricultural implement, working much like an axe to clear land. Alternatively, it can function as a long-bladed knife used in combat. The blade is typically long and stays relatively thick to handle heavy work.

The name might come from the Spanish word "macho," a term for sledgehammers. It may also derive from "machaera," the Greek and Roman name for a type of sword called a falcata. In the past, the English term "matchet" was used to describe it.

In many parts of the English-speaking Caribbean, the tool has a different name. In places like Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago, it is called a cutlass. This term refers specifically to the tool used by laborers. The use of the machete is deeply tied to tropical and subtropical environments.

In these regions, the tool is essential for cutting through dense rainforest undergrowth. It is also a vital instrument for harvesting specific crops, such as sugar cane.

Beyond the fields, the machete is a versatile household tool in Latin America. It can be used to chop large foodstuffs into smaller pieces, similar to a kitchen cleaver. People use it for various yard tasks, such as removing small branches or clearing bushes. It is even used to split open coconuts or to carve simple wooden handles for other tools.

In some hunter-gatherer societies and subsistence agriculture cultures, children are taught to use sharp tools, including machetes, before they even reach their first birthday.

History shows that the machete has played a significant role in many conflicts. In 1762, volunteer militiamen led by Pepe Antonio used machetes to defend Havana during the Seven Years' War. The tool became an iconic weapon during the Cuban independence wars. On 10 October 1868, Carlos Manuel de Céspedes led a revolt against the Spanish government using machetes. Shortly after, on 4 November 1868, Máximo Gómez led the first cavalry charge where machetes were the primary weapon.

The tool has also been seen in other major historical events, such as the Rwandan genocide and the Mau Mau rebellion.

Manufacturing the machete requires specific materials and shapes to ensure it works well. The Collins Company of Connecticut was once the most famous manufacturer in Latin America. Founded by Samuel W. Collins in 1826, the company began selling machetes in 1845. Their blades were so well-known that people used the company name to refer to the tool itself. In England, Robert Mole & Sons was known for making high-quality agricultural cutlasses. Today, Colombia stands as the largest exporter of machetes in the entire world.

The machete has also influenced art and cultural traditions. In the Jalisco region of Mexico, the "Los Machetes" folk dance tells the story of harvesting sugar cane. Dancers often use real machetes during the performance. In Brazil, the "dança dos facões" involves men banging machetes against surfaces to simulate battle.

The tool is even used as a national symbol, appearing on the flag of Angola alongside a cog-wheel. This shows how the tool represents both labor and political identity.

There are several variations of this tool found in different parts of the world. In East and Southern Africa, a version called the panga or tapanga is common. This blade is unique because it broadens on the backside and may have a sharpened upper edge. It is important to distinguish the machete from other similar tools. For example, the "bolo" used in the Philippines is often incorrectly called a machete.

However, bolos are pre-colonial, hand-forged, and usually have a curved cutting edge, unlike the straighter machete. Other related tools include the parang, the golok, and the Armenian tsakat.