Miniature Knife in Sheath
Hemba / Havu / Luba / Kusu / Holoholo, D.R. Congo / Tanzania
Iron, wood, leather
1880 - 1920

This small, graceful knife in a carefully decorated sheath was used by the Hemba, Havu, eastern Luba, and Kusu who live in southeastern D.R. Congo, and by the Holoholo who live on the other side of Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania. The knife was used for scarification, shaving, and circumcision, but was also an item of prestige. European knives and razors replaced objects like this early on because of their superior cutting edge, and as such, knives of this type are typically old (1880-1920) and rare. Bastide suggests they were also used in “cult activities” (Bastide, Traditional Weapons of Africa, 2010; Elsen, Beaute Fatale, 1992; Elsen, Fatal Beauty (orange edition), 2009).

6.5 in :: 16.5 cm

InventoryID #13-1622

SOLD