Short Sword in Sheath, welé, itété
Western Mongo: Ntomba, Konda, Ipanga, Yansi, Ndengese,
D.R. Congo / Central African Republic
Forged iron, wood, copper tape, monkey pelt
Early 20th century

This short sword comes from the Western Mongo, a large complex of tribes spread across the rainforests of western D.R. Congo and extending into the Republic of Congo. Certainly an important prestige object, it was sometimes described as a chief’s knife. Many examples were collected from the Ntomba, a clan living on the western shore of Lake Tumba who were related to the Konda.

Typical of the type, the handle has four notches running vertically on opposite sides, and the iron is elaborately adorned with incisions and hammering. Examples with a sheath are rare, and sheaths were either covered in pelts or decorated with metal strips (Elsen, Der fer et de fierté, 2003; Zirngibl, Rare African Short Weapons, 1983; Zirngibl & Kubetz, Panga Na Visu, 2009).

Mounted on a custom display stand, pictured below. 

Published: Lefebvre, Âmes de formes. Formes de Lames, 2007.

Exhibited: Âmes de formes. Formes de Lames. 5-31 Dec. 2009, Voyageurs du Monde, Lille.

20 in :: 50.5 cm

InventoryID #13-1172

SOLD