Throwing Knife, Naga-til
Laka-Ngambaye, Chad
Iron
Early 20th century

According to Norman Hurst, this distinctive blade represents naga-til, the 'male' form of a mythical couple of throwing knives, ngéégue being the female form (Ngola, 1997). The pair, known as miya-bo were highly revered and sacred relics, and even the king (Mbang, the guardian of the throwing knives) was said to be forced to resign his office if he acted without the authority of the miya-bo (Spring, African Arms and Armor, 1993).

A similar example was published in Felix, Kipinga, 1991, plate 21 (pictured below). 

27.5 in :: 70 cm

InventoryID #13-2374

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