Wooden Prestige Blade Itapi
Dengésé (Ndengésé), D.R. Congo
Wood, rattan, accumulation
Early 20th century

This hammer-shaped wooden blade was a badge of dignity of the Ntochi, a secret society within the Dengésé. Also used by the Songye-Meno, it is descendant from an iron Mongo model. It has been suggested that the strong influence of the Kuba on the Dengésé is the reason that these are made of wood, as the Kuba use many wooden knives in their ceremonies. Another reason for the wooden construction was suggested by Ikongo Sambo (1890-1987), who said that iron itapi insignias were banned after a drunken senior member of the Ntochi cult used one to murder his brother (Elsen, De fer et de fierté, 2003; Elsen, Tribal Arms Monographs, Vol 1/No. 1: Les armes-faucilles, partie 1, 1996; Zirngibl & Kubetz, Panga Na Visu, 2009).

North of the Kuba kingdom, across the Sankuru River, the 12,000 Dengese people claim to be the indigenous population of the area. Their king, known as the Etoshi, reigns over local chiefs who are assisted by noble men. Powerful groups such as the blacksmith, hunting, and witchcraft societies counterbalance the political power of chiefs (Bacquart, The Tribal Arts of Africa, 2002). 

20.25 in :: 51.5 cm

InventoryID #13-1793

Price on Request