Subject: chief

Culture: Mangbetu

Setting: Mangbetu Kingdom, central Africa 18-19thc

Object: trumbash sickle knife

Manchester Museum > Belonging *

"Trumbash (Ceremonial Knife). Mangbetu Peoples.

Democratic Republic of the Congo. Late 19th century." ...

* Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art > Weapons and Warriors: The Art of Armaments

"Congo Chief's Battle Axe

metal, wood" ...

* National Museum of African Art

"Knife

Mangbetu peoples, Democratic Republic of Congo

Late 19th to early 20th century Iron, ivory" ...

Dallas Museum of Art > African Art *

"MANGBETU KNIFE

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Upper Zaire River region, Uele subregion,

Mangbetu people, 19th-20th century Iron and ivory ...

"Sharp-angled sickle-shaped knives with two or three holes and a hilt made of brass, wood, iron, or ivory -- like this one -- were prestige objects made for Mangbetu kings and important men. They were held in the hand during visits, palavers, and ceremonials, as much for display as to be readily available, if needed. A blacksmith made the blade and a sculptor carved the hilt.

"The exchange of luxury gifts occurred among Mangbetu and Zande rulers, so this knife may have been owned by a Zande king, who would have prized it. Similarly, a Mangbetu king made gifts of ceremonial knives to favored courtiers."

* International Museum of Cultures

"Men's knife nagata/nagala

Made of iron and wood"

Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology > Arts of War *

"Mangbetu, Democratic Republic of Congo"