Woven Basketry Shield Kpanbada
Zande, D.R. Congo
Rattan, wood, pigment
Early 20th century

The Zande used three types of shields, which all share the generic name Vura, but each type also has its own name. Though their forms share the same characteristics, they are easily recognizable from one another. The first type, called Gbilija, ia the largest, and has a dark background and little decoration. The second, Kube, is smaller yet more decorated, even to the extent that it can be difficult to tell if its background is dark or light. The third, Kpanbada (Kpwangbwada), has dimensions similar to the Kube model, but is constructed of less fine materials.

The Gbilija shields were reserved for high dignitaries, and the Kube shields were carried by important warriors. Kpanbada shields were used by ordinary warriors of the Zande, often the North-East Zande. Their construction in three layers renders them highly resistant to all indigenous weapons, both hand-held and thrown. These shields are typically lighter in color and sparsely decorated (Baur & Elsen, Guba Vol. 1, 2002).

Interestingly, even though the Kpanbada shields were historically the most common and designated for the rank-and-file warriors, today they equally as rare, if not more so than the other Zande shield types.  

47.25 in :: 120 cm

InventoryID #13-2122

SOLD