Nice Old Congo Sword For Comment

Lew · 10th August 2006, 02:10 AM

Hi Guys

I just picked this up at the ebay mall seems to be a very nice old sword is it ngala?

Lew

Freddy · 10th August 2006, 10:42 AM

Nice old piece, Lew.

Do you know this book : Tribal Arms Monographs Vol 1/n°2 (Execution knives & derivatives) by Christian Gosseau (Brussels, 1997). It gives a full account of all the variations within this series of Congolese knives.

I checked it and the author puts your sword in Group 3 produced by the LOBALA, NGABAKA and the BONDJO (name given to part of the NBBAKA people installed on the right bank of the Ubangi, in former French Equatorial Africa).

The name of these double knives is Bango or Bwagogambanza

Further he writes that these knives were used during initiations rites (Gaza) including the circumcision of young men and the excision of young girls. The candidates carry this as a ritual attribute during these ceremonies which take place every six of eight years.

Tim Simmons · 10th August 2006, 10:48 AM

I want one. By the way I do not sit at the computer all day long

I start the day early walking dogs and work from home, it is midmorning tea break now

.

Bill M · 10th August 2006, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddy

Nice old piece, Lew.

Do you know this book : Tribal Arms Monographs Vol 1/n°2 (Execution knives & derivatives) by Christian Gosseau (Brussels, 1997). It gives a full account of all the variations within this series of Congolese knives.

Freddy,

Where can I find this book?

Thanks
Bill

Flavio · 10th August 2006, 11:48 AM

A TRUE BEAUTY, Lew!!!! Congrats

Ian · 10th August 2006, 12:05 PM

Bill:

Try De Verre Volken, a bookshop in the Dutch National Museum of Ethnology. The catalog is here:

http://www.ethnographicartbooks.com/...=9045616.42227

They have the book by Gosseau. There are three different books in a set on the sickle swords of Africa (the other two are by different authors). Not very expensive but good information.

Cheers.

Ian.

Mapico1 · 10th August 2006, 04:50 PM

Very old double LOBALA execution sword.Shaped like a human figure,notice the breasts...19th C for sure!Nice one!!Lew.

10th August 2006, 02:10 AM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Nice Old Congo Sword For Comment Hi Guys I just picked this up at the ebay mall seems to be a very nice old sword is it ngala? Lew Attached Images

10th August 2006, 10:42 AM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Nice old piece, Lew. Do you know this book : Tribal Arms Monographs Vol 1/n°2 (Execution knives & derivatives) by Christian Gosseau (Brussels, 1997). It gives a full account of all the variations within this series of Congolese knives. I checked it and the author puts your sword in Group 3 produced by the LOBALA, NGABAKA and the BONDJO (name given to part of the NBBAKA people installed on the right bank of the Ubangi, in former French Equatorial Africa). The name of these double knives is Bango or Bwagogambanza Further he writes that these knives were used during initiations rites (Gaza) including the circumcision of young men and the excision of young girls. The candidates carry this as a ritual attribute during these ceremonies which take place every six of eight years.

10th August 2006, 10:48 AM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	I want one. By the way I do not sit at the computer all day long I start the day early walking dogs and work from home, it is midmorning tea break now .

10th August 2006, 11:48 AM	#5
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	A TRUE BEAUTY, Lew!!!! Congrats

10th August 2006, 12:05 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,039	Bill: Try De Verre Volken, a bookshop in the Dutch National Museum of Ethnology. The catalog is here: http://www.ethnographicartbooks.com/...=9045616.42227 They have the book by Gosseau. There are three different books in a set on the sickle swords of Africa (the other two are by different authors). Not very expensive but good information. Cheers. Ian.

10th August 2006, 04:50 PM	#7
Mapico1 Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 86	Very old double LOBALA execution sword.Shaped like a human figure,notice the breasts...19th C for sure!Nice one!!Lew.