Short Sword in Sheath
Bariba, Republic of Benin
Iron, wood, leather, shagreen (stingray), vegetal fiber
Early 20th century

The Bariba number approximately 1.1 million and live primarily in northeastern Rep. of Benin with some spillover into western Nigeria. Agriculture is their dominant occupation: they grow corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts and some poultry and livestock. Religion plays an important role in Bariba culture and they are primarily Islamic, however a number of Bariba communities have their own indigenous beliefs (“Bariba people,” Wikipedia).

A photograph by Wolf-Dieter Miersch depicts eight Bariba daggers in the collection of the Überseemuseum in Bremen, Germany.

11.875 in :: 30 cm

InventoryID #13-2534

Price on Request