Basakpwa Short Sword
Yakoma / Ngbandi, Central African Republic
Iron, wood, copper
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).

Published: Lefebvre, Ngbandi Yakoma, 2017, plate 114.

Field collected by Armand Marcel Fontaine between 1920 and 1950, when he served as a colonial administrator.

14.75 in :: 37.5 cm

InventoryID #13-1343

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