Scarification knives ?
 

I found these two miniature African knives in a corner of a small antique shop. There was no handle. The 'tang' of both knives is twisted. I don't think you can see it on the pic.

Could these be scarification knives ? I think Luc can help me out.

Length of the longest one : 15,5 cm

The other one is a bit smaller : 12,3 cm

Yes Freddy, Wangata scarification knife.

I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF KNOWLEGE OF THESE BUT WILL SHARE A FEW PICTURES. WHY THEY PREFER THE RAISED DESIGNS OF SCARIFICATION INSTEAD OF TATOOS :shrug: I AM SURE THEY HAVE THEIR REASONS AND RITUALS AND NO DOUBT CONSIDER IT BEAUTIFUL.
1. PICTURES OF SEVERAL KNIVES FIRST ONE IS 17CM.LONG
2. PICTURE OF 3 PEOPLE KUBA TRIBE
3. PICTURE OF ONE WARRIORS BACK CONGO :confused: TRIBE
4. PICTURE OF UNKNOWN TRIBAL SCARIFICATION AND A OCEANIC TATOO

Tatoos are not very visible on black skin (much better on aisan or caucasian skin). While on the other hand black skin forms big scars.
So I think the choice for scarification will be for practical reasons.

Both primitive tatooing and scarification seem painfull to me, so the initiating function is served :)

But I am sure Luc and Danny's book will give some info on that.

Best regards,
Willem

I am shure you have seen that the Kuba man is holding an ikul knife in his right hand. :p
I have always like this picture, the man very serious and the women smiling, they seem happy, it's not often the case on the colonial pictures.
And they are very young.

Thanks, Luc. So I was right. :)

Can you give me a tip how to clean these two little knives ? The metal is not very thick and I don't want to bend them.

Test with waterproof abrasive paper 400/600 with WD40.And steel wool 0000.