Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Radu Transylvanicus · 12th January 2006, 07:14 PM

This short sword is known as ikul in use by the Kuba tribes of Congo basin, yet still a Bushoong of course. Bushoong is simply a name of the Kuba ruling aristocratic clans. These ikul are good examples of African metalurgical craft and luckily enough not rare either. These people have fine examples of arms, including bwaantashry regalia ones (royal sword and spear). A version of their large panoply similar somehow to ikul but slimer, longer and pointed is named ilwoon and it was designed with combat in mind.

A great account of these swords and knifes are being given by the Hungarian explorer Emil Torday (1876-1931) whom traveled together with the adventurous Transylvanian count Samuel Teleki***, deep into the Belgian Congo and further, into a famous expedition from 1906 to 1909, backed by the British Museum. He brings back over 3000 items, half of them from the Kuba people, containing a cornucopia of weaponry. Many of them were purchased as well by the Museum of Philadelphia, USA. He even documents the technology and craftsmanship of the local smiths.

*** Yes, Transylvanian counts were not only famous for their bloofd thirst, but also did travel as far as darkest of Africa ...

On his first journey to Africa, late 1880s, Count Teleki, also discoveres, explores and names lake Rudolf and lake Turkana and climbed for the first time on glaciated Mount Kibo (18000 ft), by himself.

Further research and bibliography I recommend:

AFRICAN ARMS AND ARMOR by Christopher Spring, published by The Smithsonian and British Museum, plate 18 & 21, pages 84-92
SWORD AND HILT WEAPONS , 1993, Barnes & Noble NY and Imperial Works, London - the chapter “African hilt weapons” by Christopher Spring pages 213-215
ON THE TRAIL OF THE BUSHONGO, by Emil Torday Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1925, all book is enlightning.

12th January 2006, 07:14 PM	#3
Radu Transylvanicus Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 2008-2010 Bali, 1998-2008 USA Posts: 271	This short sword is known as ikul in use by the Kuba tribes of Congo basin, yet still a Bushoong of course. Bushoong is simply a name of the Kuba ruling aristocratic clans. These ikul are good examples of African metalurgical craft and luckily enough not rare either. These people have fine examples of arms, including bwaantashry regalia ones (royal sword and spear). A version of their large panoply similar somehow to ikul but slimer, longer and pointed is named ilwoon and it was designed with combat in mind. A great account of these swords and knifes are being given by the Hungarian explorer Emil Torday (1876-1931) whom traveled together with the adventurous Transylvanian count Samuel Teleki*, deep into the Belgian Congo and further, into a famous expedition from 1906 to 1909, backed by the British Museum. He brings back over 3000 items, half of them from the Kuba people, containing a cornucopia of weaponry. Many of them were purchased as well by the Museum of Philadelphia, USA. He even documents the technology and craftsmanship of the local smiths. * Yes, Transylvanian counts were not only famous for their bloofd thirst, but also did travel as far as darkest of Africa ... On his first journey to Africa, late 1880s, Count Teleki, also discoveres, explores and names lake Rudolf and lake Turkana and climbed for the first time on glaciated Mount Kibo (18000 ft), by himself. Further research and bibliography I recommend: AFRICAN ARMS AND ARMOR by Christopher Spring, published by The Smithsonian and British Museum, plate 18 & 21, pages 84-92 SWORD AND HILT WEAPONS , 1993, Barnes & Noble NY and Imperial Works, London - the chapter “African hilt weapons” by Christopher Spring pages 213-215 ON THE TRAIL OF THE BUSHONGO, by Emil Torday Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1925, all book is enlightning. Last edited by Radu Transylvanicus; 13th January 2006 at 06:23 AM.