Ngulu Throwing Knife Or Sickle - Ngombe Culture, Democratic Republic Of Congo - Circa 1900

Ngulu THROWING KNIFE or SICKLE
Ngombe culture, Democratic Republic of Congo
Circa 1900
Steel, wood and tapestry nails 
Length: 66 cm; L: 21 cm 

This sickle-shaped throwing weapon has a wide, single-edged steel blade incised with grooves and fine cross-hatching, with a curved, tapering distal end, three protuberances on the back and three grooves at the heel. The wooden handle is poly-lobed, with tapestry nails, steel strips and copper wire. 

Illustration : 'Iboko with sickle arms', circa 1920 © Jan Elsen

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

Ref : 4286