Central African sickle knife/Ngombe Bero.

[Tim Simmons]

My first piece this year a so called Bero. I have started a new thread with it as I know Freddy has a few sickle knives he might show us and elaborate on the subject. This is no parade or currency piece. The back on this knife is over 4mm thick. The blade has a keen edge all round except on the back which has very nice facets beaten into the metal. From tip to end in a line, it measures 61cm, the beak 24.5cm. 35 on the fish and chips scale 5.5 more than I wanted to pay but still I think excellent for ebay. I also post a picture of a campaign medal which shows that some of these things were obviously not given up lightly. Information on campaigns in southern Africa and India or Afghanistan are easy to find not so with central Africa. I wonder why? Tim

[Tim Simmons]

Loop on the pommel for a lanyard. I like the wear on the leather or hide under the metal wires where the warriors finger has been gripping. Tim

[Freddy]

You're right a real weapon, not only for show.

Here's a picture of a Ngombe warrior with sickle knife and shield

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Ngombe.jpg


A sickle knife from my collection. It still has a leather strap attached to the handle. Length : 81 cm ! The handle only measures 9 cm. The blade is completely engraved on one side. The other side is almost plain. There's only a small engraving where near the small moon shaped extension.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1677.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1679.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1681.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1682.jpg

Look at the very nice engraving.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1683.jpg

Still a very functional piece. The blade is sharp on both sides and on its full length.

Now it's up to you again, Tim ;)

[Tim Simmons]

If only I had more :( , I thought I was very lucky to get the one I now have :) , now I need one of those sabre type :rolleyes: . I was sure you had more of the type I have. Tim

[Flavio]

Hello Tim, hello Freddy. Very nice pieces, i want to show mine: a ngbaka throwing knife with some strange iron near the handle (it's more usual for this knives leather), a bandja sickle knife and i have also a mongelima sickle sword that is identical to the one of Freddy. So who is the next one?

[Luc LEFEBVRE]

You're right the bero are battle swords.It is probable also that these knives were occasionnaly thrown.
3 bero from my collection:
The first is rare with the spur just below the handle, and old XIXeme, the others beginning of the XXeme.
Nzombo, Lobala, Ngbaka, Ngbandi, Ngombe. From CONGO between Congo and Ubangi river.

Luc


http://lulef.free.fr/assets/images/db_images/db_Ngombe-0218.jpg

http://lulef.free.fr/assets/images/db_images/db_Ngombe_bero_A013.jpg

http://lulef.free.fr/assets/images/db_images/db_Ngombe_bero_B00013.jpg