Prestige Object / Ceremonial Knife
Manza / Banda / Southern Laka, Central African Republic
Iron, wood
Early 20th century

While this blade was clearly designed for display rather than for use, it is difficult to hypothesize about its original purpose, as very few comparable examples have been collected. This piece was collected by Didier Carité in Central African Republic. 

The importance of throwing knives among the Laka and southern Sara exceeded the significance of their other weapons, including spears, javelins, and clubs. These large throwing knives were used as hurling missiles in war and hunting, slashing tools for cutting reed and thatching, and as dueling weapons. In addition to their functional uses, they were displayed ceremonially: brandished by women, they represented potent spiritual symbols (Luc Lefebvre, Pers. communication, May 2022; Westerdijk, The African Throwing Knife, 1988). 

20.5 in :: 52 cm

InventoryID #13-2003

SOLD