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Originally Posted by Jim McDougall
Marc, thank you for sharing this outstanding example!
The weapons of Africa are fascinating in their often bizarre shapes, and are rich in the kinds of subjects I enjoy studying, symbolism, traditional beliefs, superstitions, magic, etc. and the anthropological complexities of the peoples of this continent.
While the NGULU form does have a rather grim background as far as its purpose, it does seem much of this has transcended into a more ceremonial character as would seem to be the case with this very fine example.
It seems that the practices these type swords, which appear to have some degree of variations in the shapes and blade systems, for which they were presumably intended ceased during the Belgian occupation (1885-1908) and thereafter. The more likely purpose of these moved toward symbols of authority and station for tribal chiefs and their retinue.
The highly decorated character of this example would seem to be in accord with that idea. I am wondering about the interesting patterns of lines and linear dashes etc. and if perhaps these might align with certain scarification patterns. In one reference it is noted that scarification was not particularly notably a practice among the Ngombe and associated tribes, but perhaps it was present among chiefdom.
It seems that these lines are fairly consistent following the blade shapes and contours on various examples shown however, so beyond the obvious aesthetic perception, could there be some sort of magical or other symbolism applied collectively?
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Hi Jim Of all the African weapons I have collected, the ngulu has been a form that facinated me from the beginning. Human creativity is an inexhaustible source of inspiration. How does one come up with such bizarre shapes and still create a functional weapon? A straight piece of steel with a handle attached also does its thing in combat, but in African culture one arrives at such a form, very fascinating. That the ngulu got its dark repution as a decapitation knife is only one part of the story. Like many objects from any culture, they are often taken out of context and it's just about that one object.
I find nothing in the books I have about the possible significance of the engravings on the ngulu.The reference to scarafictions could be a factor but usually lines, grooves and ridges are a way of reinforcing the often thin blade, making it stiffer to be functional. An important aspect, often forgotten, is the importance of magic, sorcery in African society. As a weapon probably bigger and more dangerous than a mountain of the best weapons. As you correctly point out the decorations on the ngululemmet are pretty much consistent with only a few differences in the details
Maybe we overanalyze this fact too much and those decorations are tradition and just beautiful without further meaning.
Regards
Marc