Ngombe execution knife

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Pieje

By the shape and strongness of the blade. Those with extensions are younger than those without (like yours). Your blade is wider/thus stronger compared to the more fragile blade of Tim's sword.

Thank you for the learning lesson!

[Luc LEFEBVRE]

A double one.

[Sajen]

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]

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]

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.

[Pieje]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Thank you for the learning lesson!

No problem, I also learned it from people with much more knowledge and experience than me.

[Carlo]

Hello Detlef,

great knife !! Congratulations. Here's another exemple from a double one. The handle is wrapped in yellow copper.

Enjoy, Carlo

[Sajen]

After some hours work and very dirty fingers I have cleaned one side of the Ngala, here some pictures.

[Sajen]

And here some pictures from the other, uncleaned side. I know that some members like a blade like this more but I prefer to look at a clean blade.

[Flavio]

Very nice and a very good cleaning work! Congrats, Detlef!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Flavio

Very nice and a very good cleaning work! Congrats, Detlef!

Thank you Flavio!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Carlo

Hello Detlef,

great knife !! Congratulations. Here's another exemple from a double one. The handle is wrapped in yellow copper.

Enjoy, Carlo

Hello Carlo,

sorry, just before noticed your post! Thank you and your double one is just beautiful, thank you for sharing.

Regards,

Detlef