Asymmetric Prestige Blade
Yakoma / Sango / Ngbandi, D.R. Congo / Central African Republic
Iron, wood, copper
Early 20th century

This curved sword was a deluxe prestige symbol designed after the functional blades of the Yakoma, Ngbandi, Sango, Gbanziri, and the Mbugbu. This piece still carries much of the heft of the functional types, which dates it close to 1920. The functional examples were typically produced before 1920, and the light, deluxe prestige blades were produced from 1920-1940.

Whereas the heavy knives were used for war and other functional purposes, the light knives were reserved for display in women's initiation ceremonies and prestige symbols for the elderly. Amongst the Ngbandi, this prestige blade was known as ngondi (Elsen, De fer et de fierté, 2003).

Published: Lefebvre, NGBANDI YAKOMA: Armes Traditionelles, 2017, plate 69.

18 in :: 46 cm

InventoryID #13-2110

SOLD