Pair of Scarification Blades
Kuba / Dengese / Lele / Shoowa / Bushoong / Ngongo / Ngeende, D.R. Congo
Iron, brass wire
Late 19th / early 20th century

These 19th century miniature blades served a number of purposes as tools and fashion accessories. The thinner end could be thrust into the hair, leaving the top piece to be displayed for style. The sharp razor was used for shaping and cutting hair and cutting the skin to produce patterns of cicatrisation (scarification) or keloids (raised individual marks). In addition the inherent value of iron, the specialized form of these hairpin-razors gave them meaning and reflected a woman's status. Indeed, Sieber wrote that some women "without one or more razors in her hair would not be considered completely dressed" (African Textiles and Decorative Arts, 1972).

Although the most frequently stated purpose of scarification "was to beautify and to eroticize," scarification extended into many other realms of understanding (Nooter & Roberts, Memory, Luba Art, and the Making of History, 1996). Among various central African cultures, the widespread practice of scarification was considered to be part of the social process, indicating an individual's affiliation with a community or cultural group, or membership in a male or female secret initiatory society. Scarification marks indicated a person's rank and social status or could indicate one's marital status, or whether or not a woman had borne children. In addition to specific social, ritual, or symbolic roles, scarification could be also viewed as an aesthetic activity to beautify oneself and enhance an erotic sensibility (Dr. Daniel Mato, Professor Emeritus of Art History, The University of Calgary, pers. Communication, 2009).

The photograph of a scarification blade in its original context is reproduced from De Waele & Lefebvre, Couteaux de Scarifications Du Congo, 2007 and is © Danny De Waele.

The brass wire on each blade could be original or a later addition. 

The piece on the right was exhibited in a exhibition entitled "Eternal Ancestors" at the University of central Missouri in 2014, and was collected between 1929 and 1965. 

(L) 6.66 in :: 17 cm
(R) 7.5 in :: 19 cm

InventoryID #13-1301

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