Throwing knife “bwambwa” - Ngbaka - DR Congo

Ancient Ngbaka throwing knife "bwambwa"

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Total height: 44.5 cm

Period: early 20th century (possibly late 19th century)

Provenance: Swedish auction house; ex collection of Sven-Erik Johansson, Varberg - Sweden

— This model of knife was invented by the Ngbaka, but was adopted and widely used by the Ngombe. The Ngbaka told how their cultural hero, Seto, wore one, and they called it the 'wife' of another of their blades, the za sali, which was the husband.

— The manufacture of Ngbaka knives required several days of forging work and was costly. Although they could be used effectively as weapons, their value made such an act impractical; Westerdijk writes: "the owner would only throw it as a last resort, or when he believed he had a good chance of recovering it." As a result, the knife's primary role was that of a symbol of power, wealth and prestige. Known by the name ngwolo or bwambwa, this type of weapon was mainly worn by village chiefs, elders of the lineage and other notable figures as a symbol of prestige. They were brandished at important funerals, used during initiation ceremonies, and even worn by the police during the colonial period (Westerdijk, The African Throwing Knife, 1988).

— Last photograph of an Ngbaka chief and his knife.

— Careful and insured delivery with tracking number.