A ngombe sword

Flavio · 9th April 2005, 11:56 PM

Hello guys, I want to start a new thread on th Ngombe sword. I hope that also Tim and Freddy will show us theirs

. My sword have some copper and brass inlaid on the blade.

Tim Simmons · 10th April 2005, 07:29 PM

Hello Flavio,I have only just noticed your post,I would have replied earlier.This is the only thing I have like that,Kundu rather than Ngombe but still close geographicaly.It is ofcause brass but I love the use of copper like that in steel,it looks so soft and rich,a beautiful piece,I have one piece left unseen

Freddy · 10th April 2005, 07:52 PM

Here it comes !

Besides the Ngombe, the following tribes also use these swords : Doko, Mbudja, Ngbandi, Poto.
The indigenous name is : IFANGBWA

In his book, Westerdijk says that this sort of sword has a very standard shape. Only the size can vary....from 20 cm to more then 60 cm.

My sword measures 53,5 cm.

One thing which puzzles me, are the holes in the handle. Mine has 4 holes. They are old and not made at a later date. Can anyone tell me what is their use ?

Tim Simmons · 10th April 2005, 08:00 PM

Hello Freddy,it looks to me like small pieces of another material must have been inlaid ,but it is more probably where magic/power/medicine paste was placed.I will prepare a picture of my last Congo piece and post it shortly.Tim

Tim Simmons · 10th April 2005, 08:13 PM

My last Congo piece at least I hope for only a short while

.Moving east Nkutshu,Tetela,Hamba.This has a large heavy iron/steel pommel and is really a status blade.I will edit in a picture of the pommel for those unfamiliar with this type of knife.Tim

Freddy · 10th April 2005, 08:35 PM

Nice, Tim.

Just want to share this one with the forum. It's one of my latest finds.

It's a sickle knife which resembles a bit the ones used by the Mangbetu. But, I think it's a transitional form that was made (and used) by tribes like the Mamvu, Meje and also Bali from Northeastern Congo.

Probably a functional knife, but still it has some nice features like aluminium binding on the handle. There's also some carving on the base of the blade.

Total length : 29 cm

And Tim.....keep looking, they are out there. Just try to find them before me.

Flavio · 10th April 2005, 10:40 PM

Hello Freddy, about the holes in the handle, mine have two holes. I think that there was a strip like the pics that i have found on the net: this exemple have four holes like yours.
Tim your Nkutshu knife is simple wonderful!!

9th April 2005, 11:56 PM	#1
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	A ngombe sword Hello guys, I want to start a new thread on th Ngombe sword. I hope that also Tim and Freddy will show us theirs . My sword have some copper and brass inlaid on the blade. Attached Images

10th April 2005, 07:29 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Hello Flavio,I have only just noticed your post,I would have replied earlier.This is the only thing I have like that,Kundu rather than Ngombe but still close geographicaly.It is ofcause brass but I love the use of copper like that in steel,it looks so soft and rich,a beautiful piece,I have one piece left unseen Attached Images

10th April 2005, 08:13 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	My last Congo piece at least I hope for only a short while .Moving east Nkutshu,Tetela,Hamba.This has a large heavy iron/steel pommel and is really a status blade.I will edit in a picture of the pommel for those unfamiliar with this type of knife.Tim Attached Images

10th April 2005, 10:40 PM	#7
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hello Freddy, about the holes in the handle, mine have two holes. I think that there was a strip like the pics that i have found on the net: this exemple have four holes like yours. Tim your Nkutshu knife is simple wonderful!! Attached Images

10th April 2005, 07:52 PM	#3
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Here it comes ! Besides the Ngombe, the following tribes also use these swords : Doko, Mbudja, Ngbandi, Poto. The indigenous name is : IFANGBWA In his book, Westerdijk says that this sort of sword has a very standard shape. Only the size can vary....from 20 cm to more then 60 cm. My sword measures 53,5 cm. One thing which puzzles me, are the holes in the handle. Mine has 4 holes. They are old and not made at a later date. Can anyone tell me what is their use ?

10th April 2005, 08:00 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Hello Freddy,it looks to me like small pieces of another material must have been inlaid ,but it is more probably where magic/power/medicine paste was placed.I will prepare a picture of my last Congo piece and post it shortly.Tim

10th April 2005, 08:35 PM	#6
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Nice, Tim. Just want to share this one with the forum. It's one of my latest finds. It's a sickle knife which resembles a bit the ones used by the Mangbetu. But, I think it's a transitional form that was made (and used) by tribes like the Mamvu, Meje and also Bali from Northeastern Congo. Probably a functional knife, but still it has some nice features like aluminium binding on the handle. There's also some carving on the base of the blade. Total length : 29 cm And Tim.....keep looking, they are out there. Just try to find them before me.