I would have to concur as well, particularly when you take into consideration that often the blade and hilt are by two different people, often from different tribes as well, considering that trading blades appears to have been the norm, rather than the exception.
My own personal theory is that the exquisite textbook versions usually pictured are probably chief's or high ranking people within the tribal council, while the typical tribesman/warrior were likely to have atypical specimens that were similar in style and then dressed according to the owners tribal preferences......rehilting as the warrior advanced in rank would have been a strong possibility as well.
Lastly, this would also likely occur in scavenged blades from the field of battle after an inter-tribal conflict.
I also suspect that the Leka and Lega may well be synonamous as consonants are often switched in phonetic spellings.
Mike
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