A Bamum Kings Ceremonial Knife...comments please

katana · 8th July 2006, 12:21 PM

A new acqusition, but, not yet received a Bamum ceremonial knife....sold to me as a Kings knife.
I understand that the twin serpents are typical Bamum motifs...and the handle has the carved snake heads as part of the carved hilt. The carved heads at the top appear to be female. I do not know the significance, if any, to Bamum mythology or religion. Perhaps someone would enlighten me....
I have searched for similarly hilted Bamum knives and have not found any that are similar......all that I have found seem to have 'standardised' hilts which has two elongated crescents either side of the handle. see first picture of this type of hilt (knife in scabbard).

Comments, suggestions and information, gratefully received ,thankyou

8th July 2006, 12:21 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	A Bamum Kings Ceremonial Knife...comments please A new acqusition, but, not yet received a Bamum ceremonial knife....sold to me as a Kings knife. I understand that the twin serpents are typical Bamum motifs...and the handle has the carved snake heads as part of the carved hilt. The carved heads at the top appear to be female. I do not know the significance, if any, to Bamum mythology or religion. Perhaps someone would enlighten me.... I have searched for similarly hilted Bamum knives and have not found any that are similar......all that I have found seem to have 'standardised' hilts which has two elongated crescents either side of the handle. see first picture of this type of hilt (knife in scabbard). Comments, suggestions and information, gratefully received ,thankyou Attached Images