Ceremonial Dagger with Substantial Counterweight Hamba, D.R. Congo

Ceremonial Dagger with Substantial Counterweight
Hamba, D.R. Congo
Iron, wood, copper
Early 20th century

Blades of this type exhibit sophistication, balance, and precision. They were worn by adult men, placed under their belt, without a sheath (Elsen, De Fer et De fierté, 2003).

Blades in this specific style from the van Opstal collection and illustrated in Panga Na Visu (Zirngibl & Kubetz, 2009) have been attriuted to the Hamba.