Throwing knife 'kpinga' - Nzakara - DR Congo

Stunning Nzakara knife "Kpinga" (sold with pedestal)
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Max height: 48 cm
Max width: 46 cm
Materials: wrought iron, plant fibers
Provenance: ex collection Mats Sigelfeldt - Sweden

Although historically used as a weapon by the sophisticated armies of the Zande and Nzakara, this type of knife, called kpinga, became obsolete in the 20th century and became more of a symbolic object than a functional one. They were notably used during ceremonies in honor of ancestors, handled during the funerals of powerful men, and even thrown or buried on graves. Powerful symbols of authority, they were the prerogative of the nobility and were often kept and protected in storage. Only a few men had the privilege of owning a kpinga at home (Westerdijk, The African Throwing Knife, 1988).

Sold with its custom magnetic base visible in the photographs. Beautiful engravings.
We can see in the last four photographs a shield with its Nzakara knife from Allan Slatec’s Mémoire Africaine collection (France) and some photos of the related Azande people.

Careful, insured delivery with tracking number