Prestige Blade in the form of a Throwing Knife
Njem / Bumali, Cameroon, Rep. of Congo
Iron, vegetal fiber, leather
Late 19th century

Knives of this type are often compared to the 'bird-head' knives of the Kota who are, not surprisingly, neighbors of the Njem (Djem) and Bumali. They were intended for ceremonial use and as chiefly symbols of status, as they were "at best clumsy handweapons, completely unfit for throwing." The best examples of this type wear parallel, descending ribs along the stem, wing, and crown, as seen here. The spur is small and rectangular; almost an afterthought. Primarily found among the Njem and the Bumali, this knife-type was also used by the Ndzimu and the Badjue.

Often considered the prerogative of the ancestors, the manufacture of these blades has long since ceased. Examples from the early 20th century can be large and ostentatious, while earlier examples are smaller and have a more delicate aesthetic (Elsen, De fer et de fierté; Westerdijk, The African Throwing Knife).

18.5 in :: 47 cm

InventoryID #13-2988

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