Genya Short Sword
Tetela / Genya / Mbolé / So / Mba / Topoké / Lokélé / Boa / Lela / Wagenia / Ababwa / Turumbu / Léka, D.R. Congo/Rep. of Congo
Forged iron, wood, steel, flattened iron, copper
1900-1920

Because of its unusually heavy, carefully crafted diamond-shaped pommel, its precise design, and its intricate incisions, the only reasonable purpose for this knife is that of a symbol of high prestige. Similar knives with heavy pommels (and often much less elaborate incisions) have been collected in neighboring regions, and are believed to have also been used as items of local currency. 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.

However, like the famous Ngulu "executioner" blades of the Ngombe tribe, this knife type carries a long history of misinformation. In the early twentieth century it was vogue to exaggerate and even invent stories of the unrestrained behavior of the African savages, and this knife type was a primary target. As Spring wrote (1993), "The press was full of stories of 'native' savagery, and in the popular imagination, each of the numerous variety of blades was perceived as an exotic means of inflicting injury."

This type was reported to be a "drop knife," that was dropped pommel first from trees high above on an enemy passing beneath. This story captured the attention of western audiences, even though the landscape of the area renders dropweights ineffective, and it's clearly foolish to create a beautifully crafted, balanced masterpiece of a "drop knife," when a rock would be just as effective (and also heavier), if not much more so.

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).

Mounted on a Peter Sinclair base from the 1970s (not pictured).

17.5 in :: 44.5 cm

InventoryID #13-984

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