African knife? curency?

[Congoblades]

Found this 30 cm long 'knife', not really a knife. I have no info about it, where it is from or what exactly it is, so any comment is welcome.

[Tim Simmons]

Judging by the form and the mixed metals, I would say this very nice thing is from that vast region of the western south Sahara including the Sudan. Saying that I have a niggle in the back of my mind, have I seen one before dressed in brass wire, more typical of south eastern Africa like Mashanoland. With luck more may appear from the woodwork so as to get a more balanced oppinion.