Basakpwa Short Sword
Yakoma, Central African Republic
Forged iron, wood, copper, brass tacks
1880 - 1920

The basakpwa knife was danced during initiations and carried in parades, worn by the old and the rich. It was made by the Yakoma (who are sometimes considered a subgroup of the Ngbandi), who were the most renowned blacksmiths in the region (Elsen, De fer et de fierté, 2003).

This piece was published in Lefebvre, Ngbandi Yakoma, 2017, plate 133. 

14 in :: 35.5 cm

InventoryID #13-1270

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