Short Sword, Lingonda
Lia / Sengele / Ntomba / Ngata, D.R. Congo
Iron, wood, brass
19th century

This knife served as an insignia of rank and prestige. It was primarily the prerogative of western Mongo groups who lived east of the Congo River near the equator, such as the Lia, Sengele, Ntomba, and Ngata.

Collected by Alexovi Lenain from Farciennes, Belgium. Lenain worked in Western D.R. Congo for the Compagnie du Kasai 1906-09, and 1910-12. In 1906 and 1908, Lenain was assigned to Dima, which was near the confluence of the Kwilu and Kasai Rivers, and also in close proximity to the Lia, Sengele, Ntomba, and Ngata. It was not documented where he was assigned in 1910-12. 

17 in :: 43 cm

InventoryID #13-3034

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