Throwing Knife, Pere or Mokoongo
Kreish (Kresh / Kreisch / Kreich) / Adio / Bongo / Sere, South Sudan / Central African Republic
Iron, vegetal fiber
19th century

This throwing knife is among the oldest types from the continent, born in the cradle of winged weapons - the Sudan. Numerous scholarly sources unanimously assert that the production of this knife type ceased before the end of the 19th century. Most commonly attributed to the Kreish, these weapons have also been attributed to the Bongo ("the vanished tribe"), the Adio, and the Sere.

Due to the antiquity of the pieces from this area that have survived, the grips are often missing. The spatula-shaped wing and arrowhead crown are deliberately pushed closely together and the negative space in this area creates another arrowhead shape (1884.25.2, Pitt Rivers Museum, 2012; Felix, Kipinga, 1991; Hurst, Ngola, 1997; Zirngibl, Rare African Short Weapons, 1983; Zirngibl & Kubetz, Panga Na Visu, 2009).

From the estate of Rev. Dr. Earle Monteith Macphail, Edinburgh (1861 - 1937).

17.75 in :: 45 cm

InventoryID #13-1903

Not For Sale