Ritual Object Inspired by a Throwing Knife
Unknown group (possibly Fali, Marghi, Muktele, Warji, or Zulgo), North Cameroon
Forged iron, leather (antelope), textile, vegetable fiber
Late 19th century

This is a very rare object. Westerdijk describes it as a throwing knife with doubtful functionality or a dancing implement. Zirngibl & Kubetz describe a strikingly similar knife as ritual object of the ancestral cult, originating from a population of only 3,000 people who live in scattered settlements in a difficult to reach area adjacent to the Mandara mountains. The thick triangular blade is heavy and dull, and certainly wouldn't be valuable as a weapon or throwing knife, despite sharing many characteristics with African throwing knives. The enormous, almost glacial slag streams show the way in which the iron was drawn out, and give the piece an incredible personality while also demonstrating the considerable age of the iron.

In old collections, this type is often labeled as coming from the Fali, which is a troublesome term, as it was used to generally identify members of a great number of smaller, distinct tribes. However, none of these tribes were ever known to use throwing knives, and no similar objects were found in archaeological investigations. The Warji of the Bauchi Plateau (Nigeria) used a very similar, though larger and heavier type that was known to serve in a religious context, however, it was last described in 1925.

Westerdijk writes, "On the origin and use of [this type], I have very little information. This model is rarely seen in European collections. The scarce and insufficiently documented pieces known of prohibit any further analysis" (Elsen, Mambele.be, 2004-15; Westerdijk, The African Throwing Knife, 1988; Zirngibl & Kubetz, Panga Na Visu, 2010).

Ex. Jacques Van Ovesrtraeten (pictured below)
Ex. Guido Poppe

Published: Lefebvre, Luc. The Throwing Knives: The Northern Knives. 2019. Plate 87; 100 African Blades, no. 8 (Rider, 2021). 

24 in :: 61 cm

InventoryID #13-575

Not For Sale