Ornamental Prestige Sword in Scabbard
Bamum/Bamiléké/Tikar, Cameroon Grasslands
Steel, wood, dyed cotton, cowrie shells, rattan
First half of the 20th century

The elaborately decorated short swords with scabbards of the Cameroon Grasslands were symbols of prestige and even ostentation, carried in parades and demonstrations of notable leaders, chiefs, and kings. The region of Northwestern Cameroon from where this piece originates is populated with numerous tribes and kingdoms who share elements of culture and tradition, which is why this piece is attributed to either the Bamum, Bamiléké, or the Tikar (the three most prominent groups in the area), but it could have also been the prerogative of a smaller group from this dense region, such as the Babungo, Bagam, Bali, Bamenda, Banso, Bamunka, Gebiet, Widekum, or Wum.

Although originally intended for use as weapons of war, these weapons became exclusively emblems of status and rank, and comprised merely one element of the artistic material culture from this region, famous for its wood sculpture, brass casting, and beadwork. The blades were made in a limited number of iron working centers, of which Oku and Babungo were of particular importance.

In addition to the elaborate scabbard decorated with cowrie shells, ndop indigo cloth, and resist-dyed cotton, the teardrop-shaped piercing of the blade would have represented a symbol of prestige (Fischer & Zirngibl, Airikanische Waffen, 1978; Westerdijk, African Metal Implements, 1984. Zirngibl & Kubetz, Panga na visu, 2009).

This knife and its scabbard are mounted on two individual custom bases, but the scabbard base can support both pieces together as well.

(knife in scabbard) 27 in :: 68 cm

InventoryID #13-933

SOLD