Sickle Blade
Lobala / Mondzombo / Mbondzo / Ngbaka, D.R. Congo
Iron, wood, brass
Early 20th century

The sickle blade shown here is typical of the Lobala and their neighbors who live along the eastern bank of the Ubangi River. It was used as a parade emblem, for initiation ceremonies, and as a "luxury weapon for notables and chiefs."

While describing a different but closely-related type, Blackmun summarizes this blade's purpose succinctly: "Despite the sharp cutting edge on the outside of [the] arching blade, beautiful swords of this type were designed primarily as emblems of rank. They were carried by men of authority on public occassions. Like the Ngombe sacrificial swords, they are shaped and decorated for beauty and elegance, and enhanced with copper and brass."

The "single" model shown here is much less common than the "double" model, which resembles a figure with both arms raised. While the indigenous name for the double model is known to be bango or bwagogambanza, the name for this single model is unknown (Blackmun, Blades of Beauty and Death, 1990; Elsen, De fer et de fierté, 2003; Gosseau, Tribal Arms Monographs Vol. 1 Nº2 , 1997).

22 in :: 56 cm

InventoryID #13-1787

SOLD