A ngombe sword

Tim Simmons · 10th April 2005, 07:29 PM

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 · 10th April 2005, 07:52 PM

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.

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 ?

10th April 2005, 07:29 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	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 Attached Images

10th April 2005, 07:52 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	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. 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 ?