African bandia and mongelima sword

JBG163 · 21st April 2020, 08:33 PM

Dear all,

here is two pieces from my humble and short collection that i appreciate a lot.
A bandia sword and a mongelima sword. I think they are old one (late 19 or early 20).
The bandia is 78 cm long
The mongelima is 74.5 cm long
Used as weapon or only ceremonial ... i don't know, but i really like the shape and the really well executed forging process. I'm not deep into african sword ... But this type got my eyes and heart.
All the photos come from the auction house (wierdly, they are far better than me to take picture hahaha).

If you have any further informations don't hesitate !
Have a good evening or day (depending on where you are living).
Julien

Sajen · 21st April 2020, 09:16 PM

Hello Julien,

First, two very nice sickle weapons from the Kongo and/or Central African Republic (nowadays), they are called mambeli or populidi.
Bandia and Mongelima are ethnic groups who used this weapons. The get also used by some other tribes like the Boa, Barambo, Benge, Binja, Mbudja, Kanga and some others.

In older times they said the Zande are the owners of this swords but newer research tells the other. From which ethnic group your both coming I can't tell you, maybe one of our experts will be able.
I've read long time ago somewhere that this blades get used to come behind the big enemy shields to wound him and to pull down the shield but I don't know if this is true but seems logical.

Regarding the age, I would be happy when they from the first quarter of the 20th century. They are very fine worked so I guess that they fairly old.

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 21st April 2020, 09:25 PM

PS: I would remove the red rust a little bit more, use steel wool and WD40, no need of any sanding. Just my humble opinion.
And the wood can need some oil, for example linseed oil, it look by the last one very dry.

Luc LEFEBVRE · 22nd April 2020, 12:55 PM

Classic, good old knives.

JBG163 · 22nd April 2020, 01:50 PM

Thanks Luc ! Nice photos, a diamond tip would be my next target i think. That kind of weapons was carried by everybody in the tribe ? Or specific rank/soldier ?
Sajen, do not worry, that's the auction photos. They are already oiled, and i will soon clean them with deer antle and oil in order to remove rust

Sajen · 25th April 2020, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBG163

Sajen, do not worry, that's the auction photos. They are already oiled, and i will soon clean them with deer antle and oil in order to remove rust

Hello Julien,

Good like this!

To answer your question to Luc, so far I know this are weapons and not status symbols so they were used by all warriors.

Regards,
Detlef

21st April 2020, 08:33 PM	#1
JBG163 Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: France Posts: 207	African bandia and mongelima sword Dear all, here is two pieces from my humble and short collection that i appreciate a lot. A bandia sword and a mongelima sword. I think they are old one (late 19 or early 20). The bandia is 78 cm long The mongelima is 74.5 cm long Used as weapon or only ceremonial ... i don't know, but i really like the shape and the really well executed forging process. I'm not deep into african sword ... But this type got my eyes and heart. All the photos come from the auction house (wierdly, they are far better than me to take picture hahaha). If you have any further informations don't hesitate ! Have a good evening or day (depending on where you are living). Julien Attached Images

22nd April 2020, 12:55 PM	#4
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Classic, good old knives. Attached Images

21st April 2020, 09:16 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,794	Hello Julien, First, two very nice sickle weapons from the Kongo and/or Central African Republic (nowadays), they are called mambeli or populidi. Bandia and Mongelima are ethnic groups who used this weapons. The get also used by some other tribes like the Boa, Barambo, Benge, Binja, Mbudja, Kanga and some others. In older times they said the Zande are the owners of this swords but newer research tells the other. From which ethnic group your both coming I can't tell you, maybe one of our experts will be able. I've read long time ago somewhere that this blades get used to come behind the big enemy shields to wound him and to pull down the shield but I don't know if this is true but seems logical. Regarding the age, I would be happy when they from the first quarter of the 20th century. They are very fine worked so I guess that they fairly old. Regards, Detlef

21st April 2020, 09:25 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,794	PS: I would remove the red rust a little bit more, use steel wool and WD40, no need of any sanding. Just my humble opinion. And the wood can need some oil, for example linseed oil, it look by the last one very dry.

22nd April 2020, 01:50 PM	#5
JBG163 Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: France Posts: 207	Thanks Luc ! Nice photos, a diamond tip would be my next target i think. That kind of weapons was carried by everybody in the tribe ? Or specific rank/soldier ? Sajen, do not worry, that's the auction photos. They are already oiled, and i will soon clean them with deer antle and oil in order to remove rust