These smaller Tutsi sickles are often viewed as 'tourist pieces'. And perhaps a lot of them are.
But in 'TRIBAL', a tribal art magazine (n° 7, summer edition 2004), there's a very interesting piece on the decorative arts of Ruanda and Burundi. A big part of this article deals with the beaded items.
The author states that the beaded pots, knives, shields ......and probably also the sickles, were a means of showing off. The Tutsi elite used these beaded items to enhance their prestige.
The reason why these objects are often found in collections lies perhaps in the fact that the 'whites' had more contact with the ruling Tutsi class.
Look at the small beaded pot in the middle, which is exquisitely covered with beads.
On the other hand, the real 'Tutsi sickle knives' are real tools and/or weapons. The one in my collection measures about 66 cm. The metal rod connecting the blade to the handle has a diameter of about 1,5 cm.
It would be easy to cut a branch or an arm with this 'tool'.
By the way, I found this one in a junk shop for almost nothing. So keep looking, Tim
