Ceremonial Sickle Blade, za
Gbaya, Central African Republic
Forged iron, brass, cotton textile
Early 20th century

Despite exhibiting every characteristic of a throwing knife, the za was typically carried over the shoulder, and was reserved for use as a hand weapon, a bush knife, and in ceremony. Awesomely, Westerdijk explains that Gbaya blades were "carried for swagger."

This example is uncommonly small - approximately 15 percent smaller than most. While some miniature versions of these blades were manufactured after iron smelting ended in 1945, those examples were of a different style (the classic cock's comb design), and were decidedly thinner than typical Gbaya ironwork. This example is not only substantial (neither miniature nor thin), but displays both the careful accents and compositional techniques of traditional Gbaya ironwork. While the blade is certainly original, the cloth handle is probably an indigenous replacement, although original handles of this type do exist (Westerdijk, The African Throwing Knife, 1988).

22 in :: 56 cm

InventoryID #13-562

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