Skeuomorphic Dagger
Mbanja / Mbanza / Ngbaka, D.R. Congo
Wood, pigment, iron
Early 20th century

Wooden pigmented knives were used by the Ngbaka during their boys’ final departure from their gàzà gbàdà initiation. The knives were just one part of an elaborate costume that also included a garment of beaten bark (wiya), a woven head covering (gbeli), a belt of ngùngge bark sewn with kusa thread, and a pigmented disc that hid the mouth (tòmà). Dried fruits and metal bells were attached to the skeuomorphic knives so that they would make noise while the boys danced to a special initiation song (gùgùsi) (Henrix, “Beliefs and Rituals of the Ngbaka People.” In Grootaers (ed.), UBANGI: Art and Cultures from the African Heartland, 2007).

Four related objects in the Africa Museum (Tervuren) are pictured below: EO.0.0.34902, EO.0.0.34904, EO.0.0.37235, and EO.0.0.1855.130.25. 

16.25 in :: 41 cm

InventoryID #13-3021

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