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Old 13th June 2024, 03:43 PM   #1
Pertinax
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Default Ceremonial sword, Hemba/Luba, D.R. Congo

A new sword has arrived in my African collection.

The Hemba (Luba Hemba) people (or Eastern Luba) are a Bantu ethnic group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Quite a rare item; I only came across a couple of specimens from this ethnic group.

A special feature is the very massive handle - a pommel with one body and two faces.

Specifications:
total length – 620 mm, sword length – 590 mm, blade length – 380 mm, blade width at the hilt – 65 mm, blade thickness – 3 mm, weight with sheath – 1000 g, weight – 620 g

By all indications, this sword is some kind of symbol of power or status.

Each Hemba clan has a kabeja, a figurine with one body and two faces, male and female, on one neck. Sacrifices are made to the Kabeje, who pass them on to the spirits.
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Old 13th June 2024, 03:53 PM   #2
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Additional photos
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Old 13th June 2024, 08:36 PM   #3
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enclosed 2 more interesting links concerning tribal maps

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...8&postcount=47

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...1&postcount=46
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Old 13th June 2024, 09:18 PM   #4
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[QUOTE=gp;291551]enclosed 2 more interesting links concerning tribal maps

Thank you gp

Very useful information
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Old 13th June 2024, 11:19 PM   #5
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Very nice and complete example!
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Old 14th June 2024, 09:52 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sajen View Post
Very nice and complete example!
Hi Detlef, thanks!

Now comes the pleasant task of cleaning.
Regards, Yuri
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