Genya Short Sword in Sheath
Tetela / Genya / Mbolé / So / Mba / Topoké / Lokélé / Boa / Lela / Wagenia / Ababwa / Turumbu / Léka, D.R. Congo / Rep. of Congo
Forged iron, wood, copper, leather
Late 19th / early 20th century

While resembling a functional knife, the purpose of this blade was a symbol of high prestige. Over time, the solid iron block on the pommel grew larger and larger, so much so that eventually, these knives became entirely unbalanced, obviously unusable knives. Frobenius reported this type being collected in the upper Lomami River region in northern D.R. Congo, but additional examples have been collected far northwest, in the Republic of Congo.

While this knife type was used by numerous groups in the region, it was most likely invented by the Genya, who seem to be the originators of the concept of great counterweights on short swords, and who were famous merchants and traders (Elsen, De fer et de fierté, 2003; Spring, African Arms and Armor, 1993; Zirngibl, Rare African Short Weapons, 1983).

This example is revealing because it has a much more 'standard issue' sheath, compared to other examples that have an identical blade, but have an elaborately decorated sheath. The absence of some of the handle wrap also reveals the two iron bars embedded in the wood handle that create the two vertical ridges in the handle wrap. 

16.25 in :: 41 cm

InventoryID #13-1122

SOLD