Old Makaraka dagger

[JW]

This dagger was made by the Makaraka, a subgroup of the Zande kingdom. There's only one photo in the literature of a Makaraka man having such a dagger (the man on the left has a dagger on his belt).

[VANDOO]

I HAVE NOT SEEN ONE OF THESE WITH THE EXCELLENT WIRE WORK. I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE WAY IT IS SECURED WITH THE IRON BANDS ON THE LARGE POMMEL. I ASSUME THE WIRE IS IRON TOO, THE FELLOW IN THE PICTURE IS A LOT TALLER THAN THE OTHERS AND HAS MORE REGALIA SO MUST BE THE BOSS. :) WHAT SIZE IS THE DAGGER? I SUSPECT THEY ARE RARE IN THIS QUALITY THE ONLY WAY YOURS MIGHT BE BETTER WOULD BE IF IT HAD A SCABBARD. THANKS FOR SHOWING IT I ALWAYS ENJOY SEEING SOMETHING I HAVE NOT SEEN BEFORE.

[Battara]

Very interesting work.

[JW]

This Makaraka dagger is 30cm high and the plate shaped handle has a diameter of 10cm. Indeed these daggers are very rare. In private collections I have seen two, but this does not mean there are no other collectors who own one as well. anyway I was very lucky that I could get one. Makaraka daggers, far as I know, never had a scabbard. It's a little difficult to see it on the photo, but that dagger has no scabbard too.