Hi Steve
Yes some of the Congolese knives and swords are strictly ceremonial and others were real or derived from actual weapons of war. You don't really wear too much clothing in the Congo so any sharp or long pointy weapon can be used with devastating effect. Today in the Congo one of the most feared weapons is the machete which is 18" long and only .125" thick which in comparison is not much different in size and shape and weight than the knives and swords we are speaking of.
Lew
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