Kuba Ilwoon (Ilondo) Sword
Kuba / Lele / Mbala
Kasaï - Sankuru River Region - Kasaï District, Congo Free State (Kasaï, Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Late 19th century (ca. 1880 - 1900)
Wood, iron
Blade: 48,9cm
Hilt & Blade: 64,1cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2024
Collection Number: 399

A rare battle sword of the Kuba People known as the ilwoon. Later, they were used as prestige and dancing implements in the 20th century. The double- edged iron blade flares outward to a squared end. Thickened convexed medial ridge for 1/2 blade's length, the other half is decorated with incised linear design and nine small holes.

Large wooden hilt with a disc- shaped pommel and a small pommel prong. The base of the hilt is decorated with linear work, while the bottom has more elaborate embellishments. Retaining its iron hilt collar, which is usually missing. A heavy and rare fighting sword with considerable age.

Photograph 10: From "Beauté Fatale. Armes d' Afrique Centrale". 1992. Page 227

• “Beauté Fatale. 1992. “Armes d’ Afrique Centrale”. Page 227 - 228: #432

• Fischer, Werner. Zirngibl, Manfred. 1978. “African Weapons”. Page 158. Cat. 286

• Spring, Christopher. 1993. “African Arms and Armor”. Page 88

• https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1909-0513-178

• https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1979-01-4994

• https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1909-0513-179

• http://oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=521

• http://africanarms.com/gallery?5-kuba-ilwoon-with-head-62-cm

• http://africanarms.com/gallery?5-kuba-ilwoon-63-cm

• http://africanarms.com/gallery?5-kuba-prestige-sword-ilwoon-59-cm

• http://africanarms.com/gallery?8-kuba-sword-ilwoon-67-cm

• https://africanarms.com/gallery?kuba-sword-ilwoon-61-cm

• https://www.ertribal.com/index.php/tribal-art/archive/symmetrical-blades/ilwoon-or-ilondo-parade-sword-kuba-tribe-dr-congo