Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons
FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 13th June 2024, 03:43 PM   #1
Pertinax
Member
 
Pertinax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: City by the Black Sea
Posts: 159
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.
Attached Images
            
Pertinax is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13th June 2024, 03:53 PM   #2
Pertinax
Member
 
Pertinax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: City by the Black Sea
Posts: 159
Default

Additional photos
Attached Images
     
Pertinax is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13th June 2024, 08:36 PM   #3
gp
Member
 
gp's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 719
Default

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
gp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13th June 2024, 09:18 PM   #4
Pertinax
Member
 
Pertinax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: City by the Black Sea
Posts: 159
Default

[QUOTE=gp;291551]enclosed 2 more interesting links concerning tribal maps

Thank you gp

Very useful information
Pertinax is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13th June 2024, 11:19 PM   #5
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,781
Default

Very nice and complete example!
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14th June 2024, 09:52 AM   #6
Pertinax
Member
 
Pertinax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: City by the Black Sea
Posts: 159
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sajen View Post
Very nice and complete example!
Hi Detlef, thanks!

Now comes the pleasant task of cleaning.
Regards, Yuri
Pertinax is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:59 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.