Asymmetrical Dagger in Sheath
Papel, Guinea-Bissau
Iron, wood, hide, vegetal fiber
Late 19th / early 20th century

This dagger with its distinctive tip comes from western Guinea-Bissau; longer swords with the same shape have also been collected. The sheath is made of light wood, and is here wrapped with hide, but sometimes is wrapped with much more basic or humble materials. The squared notches on the handle are characteristic of the type; on this example they are atypically worn down and smoothed, suggesting decades of handling.

The Papel people number approximately 200,000 and live around the city of Bissau, in the Biombo Region of coastal Guinea-Bissau. With land suitable for rice cultivation, they are traditionally farmers but also hunters. The origin of the name Papel seems to derive from the rebellious nature of the culture: when the Portuguese would attempt to force them pay the ‘hut tax,’ they would refuse “the paper” which demanded the tax payment (“Papel People,” Wikipedia.com).

15.5 in :: 39 cm

InventoryID #13-2046

Price on Request