Hache 'Ikyenge' - Shoowa-Kuba - DR Congo

Hache 'Ikyenge' Shoowa-kuba
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Total length (handle): 39 cm
Period: beginning of the 20th century (1920-30)
Materials: wrought iron, wood, twisted wire
Provenance: private Belgian collection

This ceremonial axe of the Kuba, called ikyengé, is well balanced and elegantly shaped. It was the privilege of prestigious dignitaries called kolm (Elsen, De Fer, and De Fierté, 2003).

We can see in the latest photograph Kuba dignitaries carrying their Ikyenge on their shoulder, as is always done.
The axe blade could very easily be cleaned, for example with a nylon brush. But the patina that has formed on it over nearly a century would then be removed. Of course, the final decision would be up to the collector.

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