Short Sword with Sheath, ntsakh or fa
Fang, Gabon/Equatorial Guinea/Cameroon
Forged iron, wood, Ornate monitor skin, brass (wire, tacks, rings, sheet), nail
Late 19th/early 20th century

This fine short sword with its original sheath comes from the Fang, who inhabit the rainforest in an area that stretches over three countries. The sheath, called abam, is composed of two wooden boards covered with stitched lizard skin from the Ornate monitor (Varanus ornatus). While primarily a symbol of status, these blades were also used in a ceremonial context, and are very functional as well, with two sharp cutting edges (Elsen, De fer et de fierté, 2003).

23 in :: 58 cm

InventoryID #13-994

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