Ngombe execution knife

Luc LEFEBVRE · 2nd July 2013, 09:31 PM

A double one.

Sajen · 2nd July 2013, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luc LEFEBVRE

A double one.

Thank you for sharing Luc. Is the "ferrule" like by my one from copper sheet?

Regards,

Detlef

DaveA · 3rd July 2013, 05:32 AM

The first sword, painted, was originally obtained by a missionary in the Belgian Congo in the early part of the 20th C., probably around 1925 when the Belgian Trappists were recalled from the Congo. I bought it from the missionary's nephew in Belgium. It is 27 inches long.

The other two are more typical Ngombe execution swords. Each is 26 inches long.

The Ngombe tribe traded these swords widely. Sometimes you may see them called "Ngulu" or "Ngala", which is short for "Bangala", a station on the Congo River set up in the 19th C. The ethnic group in that area, the Mongo, traded for these swords with the Ngombe despite their history as sworn enemies. The swords were used primarily as ceremonial pieces in the execution of slaves, often to conclude a peace agreement between two warring tribes. Colonial Belgium forbid execution and cannibalism, previously widespread in that area of the Congo. Goats substituted for human slaves in the ritual. By the mid-20th C. these swords were used by the Ngombe in a dance called "Likbeti" which could last two days. It culminates in the sacrifice of a goat and its consumption by the revelers. (Reference: Nelson, Samuel H. Colonialism in the Congo Basin, 1880-1940. Athens, OH: Ohio University Center for International Studies, 1994. Print. Africa Ser., No. 64.)

Sajen · 3rd July 2013, 08:18 PM

Thank you Dave for sharing your examples and the interesting historical pictures as well the interesting background about this swords.

Here some more examples I have found in old threads, hopefully that the owners don't mind.

2nd July 2013, 09:31 PM	#1
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	A double one. Attached Images

3rd July 2013, 05:32 AM	#3
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 416	For comparison: My three Ngombe swords The first sword, painted, was originally obtained by a missionary in the Belgian Congo in the early part of the 20th C., probably around 1925 when the Belgian Trappists were recalled from the Congo. I bought it from the missionary's nephew in Belgium. It is 27 inches long. The other two are more typical Ngombe execution swords. Each is 26 inches long. The Ngombe tribe traded these swords widely. Sometimes you may see them called "Ngulu" or "Ngala", which is short for "Bangala", a station on the Congo River set up in the 19th C. The ethnic group in that area, the Mongo, traded for these swords with the Ngombe despite their history as sworn enemies. The swords were used primarily as ceremonial pieces in the execution of slaves, often to conclude a peace agreement between two warring tribes. Colonial Belgium forbid execution and cannibalism, previously widespread in that area of the Congo. Goats substituted for human slaves in the ritual. By the mid-20th C. these swords were used by the Ngombe in a dance called "Likbeti" which could last two days. It culminates in the sacrifice of a goat and its consumption by the revelers. (Reference: Nelson, Samuel H. Colonialism in the Congo Basin, 1880-1940. Athens, OH: Ohio University Center for International Studies, 1994. Print. Africa Ser., No. 64.) Attached Images

3rd July 2013, 08:18 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,210	Thank you Dave for sharing your examples and the interesting historical pictures as well the interesting background about this swords. Here some more examples I have found in old threads, hopefully that the owners don't mind. Attached Images