Congo sword ID help

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by Mefidk

Hi Colin, that makes sense. Both Wongo and Lele are from Luluwa west, between Kuba and Pende, which fits well with the ideas on the sword which started this thread.

The closest other I found is Fishcher and Zirngibl fig 262, which Tchokwe, but the style is quite different even if the technique is similar. Nowhere near as close as the axe you showed. Also similar technique but quite different patterns from Luba, e.g. Waffen aus central Afrika fig 151.
So I suppose its possible that the axe pattern and Kuba patterns arrived independently. At least the technique for attaching these small metal strips seems quite widespread in central and south-east Congo (if not the style). So maybe it travelled or evolved elsewhere, even Uganda.

Panga na visu is really a nice book. My library on Congo includes this and Waffen above; Fischer; all of the Tribal arms monographs volumes I & II; Bastide's 3 books; Fatal Beauty; Rare African short weapons by Zirngibl; Standing on Ceremony; & The Cutting Edge. But I feel there must be more out there of use (sorry Luc I do not yet have your book if you are looking ). Do you know others you'd recommend?
Most of my collection is axes, for which I have not found any specialised book, but it would be nice if there is one I don't know of!

Here are a few others to consider :-

P Westerdijk "African Metal Implements"
Marc Felix "Kipinga", 1991
H Westerdijk "Ijzerwerk van Centraal-Africa", 1982
P Westerdijk "The African Throwing Knife", 1988
Museum fur Volkerkunde, Frankfurt "Ehe Die Gewehre Kamen", 1985

I know of only one book on African Axes .... "African Axes" by Carl Gosta Widstrand, 1958

[Mefidk]

Thanks Colin - I knew of some of these, but not all - including not knowing the axe book. I'll start looking for them