Throwing Knife
Laka, Chad
Forged iron, resin
Early 20th century

According to Norman Hurst, this distinctive blade represents naga-til, the 'male' form of a mythical couple of throwing knives, ngéégue being the female form (Ngola, 1997). The pair, known as miya-bo were highly revered and sacred relics, and even the king (Mbang, the guardian of the throwing knives) was said to be forced to resign his office if he acted without the authority of the miya-bo (Spring, African Arms and Armor, 1993).

This variation represents a distinct substyle, and one of the only Laka variations that was ever incised. Westerdijk writes, "it is very well possible that the special designs engraved on the blades of this type indicated certain ranks of power or grades of initiation. The Ngambaye are still very reluctant to discuss these issues with strangers, so that not much is known concerning the ritual use of this type" (1988). Generally, this type was prevalant among southern Laka groups, notably the southern Ngambaye, Lakka, Mbéré, Gunge, Pondo, Pana, Karé, and Tali. 

The importance of throwing knives among the Laka and southern Sara exceeded the significance of their other weapons, including spears, javelins, and clubs. These large throwing knives were used as hurling missiles in war and hunting, slashing tools for cutting reed and thatching, and as dueling weapons. In addition to their functional uses, they were displayed ceremonially: brandished by women, they represented potent spiritual symbols.

The absence of handles is insignificant for Laka knives, as practically all examples wear no grip. The presence of residue from the lost handle thus makes this a rare example, as does the presence of incisions in the iron. 

Westerdijk describes the general Laka aesthetic: "Although the throwing knives of this stylistic province have the same general outline as that which is common to all northern F-shapes, in most cases one misses the gentle curves and even, unbroken lines so typical of the models [of the southeastern and northern Sara]. Instead of flowing forms, angular shapes are dominant here, which recalls modern cubistic designs, especially so in the details of the topbranch and crossbar of the more developed types."

Interestingly, weapons of this type are consistently labeled as coming from the Laka tribe, incorrectly implying that they are the product of one cohesive group. In fact, there are numerous groups inhabiting the western section of the Logone River basin, including the Laka-Ngambaye, the Massa-Musseye, the Mbum-Lakka, the Marba, the Wina, and the Guisey, all of whom have produced and utilized these weapons. It seems this error is the result of French and German administrators oversimplifying tribal identification, and simply labeling all of the 'pagan' tribes as 'Laka.' Westerdijk asserts the knife type offered here was the prerogative of the Musseye, Marba, and southern Massa (Wina and Guisey) (Westerdijk, The African Throwing Knife, 1988).

Published: Lefebvre, Luc. The Throwing Knives: The Northern Knives. 2019. Plate 45.

22.5 in :: 57 cm

InventoryID #13-1111

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