Ekonda (Ikalakaka) Sword
Ekonda / Lia / Sengele / Kundu / Ntomba / Kote or neighboring peoples
Équateur District, Congo Free State - Équateur Province, Belgian Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Late 19th century (ca. 1880 - 1900)
Wood, iron
Blade: 41,3cm
Hilt & Blade: 50,8cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2023
Collection Number: 380

Sword of the Western Mongo, the Ekonda Ikalakaka. Congo's pre-colonial era saw the employment of various African swords in battle. Some swords and blades used in ceremonial contexts displayed the power of leaders and kings and were used heavily for trading. When colinization began, there was a ban on most edged weapons, and only the highly ceremonial and prestigious weapons were allowed, which led to the popularity of the Konda sword.

The iron blade is double-edged with a set of central fullers, each one slightly concaved from the previous. The end termintes into arched flared points. Wooden hilt with rounded pommel base. A very old example.

• https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1901-0608-39

• https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1954-23-2560

• https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1954-23-2554

• http://oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=4583

• https://african-weapons.com/gallery?4-konda-53-x-19-cm

• https://african-weapons.com/gallery?2-konda-lia-sengele-35-4-cm-g

• https://www.ertribal.com/index.php/tribal-art/archive/symmetrical-blades/three-ikakalaka-prestige-swords-mongo-konda-dr-congo