It does look like it's missing something on the hilt, doesn't it? There's a bit of metal (or something) showing at the "pommel, " and that made me think that it was capped or peened somehow.
As for holding it, one would have to loop forefinger and thumb around the guard to have any traction at all. For some reason, I don't think this is a fighting weapon....
If it's West African, what is it doing with a bone hilt and an iron ferrule above the guard? An alternate theory: perhaps it's a tourist sword from...North Africa???
F