Archer's Wrist Guards - Igitembe - Tutsi - Rwanda (No reserve price)

Two authentic Igitembe or Tutsi Archer's Wrist Guards
Rwanda / Burundi - Mid 20th century

This Tutsi archer’s wrist guard, or igitembe, would have been worn to protect an archer’s arm from the recoil of the bowstring. This style of large, wooden guard is particularly rare. Most guards even from the Tutsi were fashioned from grass and closely resembled a bracer. This indicates that the archery rings were an aesthetic preference rather than a functional one, intended to be used by elite warriors and chiefs. The copper used as studs also lends itself to this theory as it would have been imported from Katanga in Zaire and been a relatively expensive medium.


Height = 25 cm
Width = 25 cm
Thickness = 8.4 and 9.4 cm
Combined Weight (incl. stands) = 2705 g

In good condition. Normal traces of age and use.
For a good impression, please watch all photos carefully.


Insured shipping.
Can also be collected in Ghent, Belgium.