Interesting African dagger. Unusual Shona?

Tim Simmons · 12th August 2005, 06:58 PM

The scabbard does look very much like those of the Fang but I still say the blade is central African and certainly not Shona. The bar section forte is very C Africa, Zande/ Mangbetu. Could this have come from people to the east of the Fang and to the west of Zande border areas where forms could mix. Tim

Freddy · 12th August 2005, 07:16 PM

The scabbard and handle are atypical and a bit of a puzzle to me. Diamond shaped blades can also be found with the Shi or Tutsi.

Probably a mixture of different styles as mentioned by the other forum members. Good blades were traded all over Africa.

Isn't it possible to trace the origin of this knife. It was surely part of some museum's collection. You should try to find out more.

Anyway, I like it. It's beautiful and complete.

zalmoxis · 12th August 2005, 08:17 PM

Very sharp eye about the Fang. I think that you are right and the scabbard is Fang. What about the wirework? It looks Shona or Northern Nguni.I have not seen a weapon from Congo with wirework. Blade looks like Shi people a litlle bit.

Flavio · 13th August 2005, 12:18 AM

Another example, nearly identical to the one of zalmoxis, of fang scabbard and knife (the scabbard is covered with snake skin) from Spring.

13th August 2005, 12:18 AM	#4
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Another example, nearly identical to the one of zalmoxis, of fang scabbard and knife (the scabbard is covered with snake skin) from Spring. Attached Images

12th August 2005, 06:58 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	The scabbard does look very much like those of the Fang but I still say the blade is central African and certainly not Shona. The bar section forte is very C Africa, Zande/ Mangbetu. Could this have come from people to the east of the Fang and to the west of Zande border areas where forms could mix. Tim

12th August 2005, 07:16 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	The scabbard and handle are atypical and a bit of a puzzle to me. Diamond shaped blades can also be found with the Shi or Tutsi. Probably a mixture of different styles as mentioned by the other forum members. Good blades were traded all over Africa. Isn't it possible to trace the origin of this knife. It was surely part of some museum's collection. You should try to find out more. Anyway, I like it. It's beautiful and complete.

12th August 2005, 08:17 PM	#3
zalmoxis Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: GA USA Posts: 76	Very sharp eye about the Fang. I think that you are right and the scabbard is Fang. What about the wirework? It looks Shona or Northern Nguni.I have not seen a weapon from Congo with wirework. Blade looks like Shi people a litlle bit.