A ngombe sword

[Flavio]

Hello guys, I want to start a new thread on th Ngombe sword. I hope that also Tim and Freddy will show us theirs :). My sword have some copper and brass inlaid on the blade.

[Tim Simmons]

Hello Flavio,I have only just noticed your post,I would have replied earlier.This is the only thing I have like that,Kundu rather than Ngombe but still close geographicaly.It is ofcause brass but I love the use of copper like that in steel,it looks so soft and rich,a beautiful piece,I have one piece left unseen :(

[Freddy]

Here it comes !

Besides the Ngombe, the following tribes also use these swords : Doko, Mbudja, Ngbandi, Poto.
The indigenous name is : IFANGBWA

In his book, Westerdijk says that this sort of sword has a very standard shape. Only the size can vary....from 20 cm to more then 60 cm.

My sword measures 53,5 cm.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1064.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1065.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1066.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1068.jpg

One thing which puzzles me, are the holes in the handle. Mine has 4 holes. They are old and not made at a later date. Can anyone tell me what is their use ? :confused:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1070.jpg

[Tim Simmons]

Hello Freddy,it looks to me like small pieces of another material must have been inlaid ,but it is more probably where magic/power/medicine paste was placed.I will prepare a picture of my last Congo piece and post it shortly.Tim

[Tim Simmons]

My last Congo piece at least I hope for only a short while :) .Moving east Nkutshu,Tetela,Hamba.This has a large heavy iron/steel pommel and is really a status blade.I will edit in a picture of the pommel for those unfamiliar with this type of knife.Tim

[Freddy]

Nice, Tim.

Just want to share this one with the forum. It's one of my latest finds.

It's a sickle knife which resembles a bit the ones used by the Mangbetu. But, I think it's a transitional form that was made (and used) by tribes like the Mamvu, Meje and also Bali from Northeastern Congo.

Probably a functional knife, but still it has some nice features like aluminium binding on the handle. There's also some carving on the base of the blade.

Total length : 29 cm

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1071.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1072.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding1073.jpg

And Tim.....keep looking, they are out there. Just try to find them before me. :D

[Flavio]

Hello Freddy, about the holes in the handle, mine have two holes. I think that there was a strip like the pics that i have found on the net: this exemple have four holes like yours.
Tim your Nkutshu knife is simple wonderful!!