Need help to identify a Congo (?) dagger

Sajen · 2nd May 2021, 11:19 AM

I just have won a big African dagger, it's 52,5 cm overall, could it be a Lengola dagger?

Mefidk · 2nd May 2021, 09:13 PM

Nice piece - congratulations

Just trawling though some books and Lengola does seem to be closest in blade form. The blade shape, narrowing at the base and central raised spine is very close. Less sure about the hilt because the only good example I found so far has a carved figural hilt. Overall size fits too. But this is just one example I found in Panga na visu.
I hope someone who knows more will chime in.

Sajen · 2nd May 2021, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mefidk

Nice piece - congratulations

Just trawling though some books and Lengola does seem to be closest in blade form. The blade shape, narrowing at the base and central raised spine is very close. Less sure about the hilt because the only good example I found so far has a carved figural hilt. Overall size fits too. But this is just one example I found in Panga na visu.
I hope someone who knows more will chime in.

Thank you very much for comment!

It seems we have searched the same source!

The example from panga na visnu is the only example I found with a similar blade shape, the only difference is indeed the figural handle.
I hope as well that someone with more knowledge I have will chime in.

Regards,
Detlef

drac2k · 3rd May 2021, 10:06 AM

Great item. By the taper on the bottom of the blade, could this be a repurposed spearhead made into a sword? It was not an uncommon practice throughout countless societies to utilize captured weapons for the victor's needs.

Sajen · 3rd May 2021, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

Great item. By the taper on the bottom of the blade, could this be a repurposed spearhead made into a sword? It was not an uncommon practice throughout countless societies to utilize captured weapons for the victor's needs.

Hello Drac2k,

A good hint and a possibility.

But which spear head would fit?

Regards,
Detlef

Duccio · 3rd May 2021, 04:45 PM

Beautiful! Congratulations, interesting purchase.
The attribution to the Lengola people would seem correct to me too, but one could perhaps also evaluate the Lega people as a candidate: Lengola knives often have a more rounded shape on the sides.
I am less convinced by the possibility that it is a spearhead fixed to a knife handle, for a very simple reason: African spearheads are almost always "female", while knives always have a tang that enters the handle. .. doesn't it seem to you too?

2nd May 2021, 11:19 AM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,769	Need help to identify a Congo (?) dagger I just have won a big African dagger, it's 52,5 cm overall, could it be a Lengola dagger? Attached Images

2nd May 2021, 09:13 PM	#2
Mefidk Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 157	Nice piece - congratulations Just trawling though some books and Lengola does seem to be closest in blade form. The blade shape, narrowing at the base and central raised spine is very close. Less sure about the hilt because the only good example I found so far has a carved figural hilt. Overall size fits too. But this is just one example I found in Panga na visu. I hope someone who knows more will chime in.

3rd May 2021, 10:06 AM	#4
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Great item. By the taper on the bottom of the blade, could this be a repurposed spearhead made into a sword? It was not an uncommon practice throughout countless societies to utilize captured weapons for the victor's needs.

3rd May 2021, 04:45 PM	#6
Duccio Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Florence, Italy Posts: 64	Beautiful! Congratulations, interesting purchase. The attribution to the Lengola people would seem correct to me too, but one could perhaps also evaluate the Lega people as a candidate: Lengola knives often have a more rounded shape on the sides. I am less convinced by the possibility that it is a spearhead fixed to a knife handle, for a very simple reason: African spearheads are almost always "female", while knives always have a tang that enters the handle. .. doesn't it seem to you too?