A Very Rare Mbele A Lulendo

"Sword of Authority" Chief's Execution Sword

  • A Very Rare Mbele A Lulendo "Sword of Authority" Chief's Execution Sword

  • A Very Rare Mbele A Lulendo "Sword of Authority" Chief's Execution Sword

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  • A Very Rare Mbele A Lulendo "Sword of Authority" Chief's Execution Sword

  • A Very Rare Mbele A Lulendo "Sword of Authority" Chief's Execution Sword

  • A Very Rare Mbele A Lulendo "Sword of Authority" Chief's Execution Sword

  • A Very Rare Mbele A Lulendo "Sword of Authority" Chief's Execution Sword

  • A Very Rare Mbele A Lulendo "Sword of Authority" Chief's Execution Sword

  • A Very Rare Mbele A Lulendo "Sword of Authority" Chief's Execution Sword

  • A Very Rare Mbele A Lulendo "Sword of Authority" Chief's Execution Sword

A Very Rare Mbele A Lulendo
"Sword of Authority" Chief's Execution Sword
Kikongo Bantu Speaking people: Yombe, Beembe, Sundi
Lower Congo Province, Kingdom of Kongo - Bas-Congo, Congo Free State (Northern Angola, Western Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Congo, Southern Gabon)
18th - 19th century (ca. 1750 - 1880)
Iron, wood, ivory (elephant)
Blade: 66,7cm
Hilt & Blade: 82,6cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2024
Collection Number: 436

Ex. Spectandum (Guy Kuypers): Leuven, Belgium (2024)
Ex. Bruno Conti: Brussels, Belgium (1974 -2003)

A rare royal chief's execution sword of the Kongo Kingdom known as Mbele A Lulendo, or the "sword of authority." These swords are modeled after 16th century Portuguese navigational crab or carracks black swords. Many older examples had European blades acquired through trade or capture during early Portuguese colonization along the coast and later into the interior highlands. Portuguese traveler Oduardo Lopez noted that swords and daggers were already in use among rulers in Luanda as regalia when he visited there in 1578. European blades were highly desired and superior to local iron manufacturer. The crossroads pose or niombo, with the right hand up to heaven and left hand parallel to the horizon line, symbolizes the rulers ultimate authority, later characterized the niombo figure. This gesture is found in Kongo, Cameroon, and Nigeria and has made its way to Haiti via vodun. The right hand up and left hand down recalls the anthropomorphic reading of the hand- guards of the Mbele a luando (sword of authority), the royal swords of execution in ancient Kongo. This gesture, on swords and niombo, marked the boundaries between two worlds (upper- life and lower- death worlds). This gesture symbolizes the ruler’s ultimate authority. The upper right arm “hails the law,” (yamba mambu) while the lowered arm “cools the community” (lembika kanda). For example, when the ruler convicts a criminal to death (raised right hand upholding the law, he also reestablishes the peace, or coolness, of the community (lowered left hand) that the lawbreaker destroyed. Early examples were used for execution and buried in the tomb with the chief. Later centuries, these power swords were placed at the end of the grave, blade in the ground with the hilt facing upward to represent their status, power, and imbuity. Mbele swords were considered nkisi, or objects that a spirit inhabits. They acted as symbols of status and objects of ritual and a vessel to transition from one world to another during death. They were also an important part of the regalia and was used in coronation ceremonies as an investiture (Vandehoute 1973, 41-41) and during ritual dances (e.g. Sangamentos) as well as executions.

The blade seems to be locally produced, but there is a chance it may be old European. Iron broadsword type blade with a central fuller that spans almost half of the blade's length. It is modeled after early European blades. The iron guard formed in the "crossroads pose" with rolled quillions terminating in rounded and pierced quillion tips. The downward quillion with a profiled cross, influenced by Portugese Christian iconography. Very old elephant ivory carved hilt with circle- dot incisions. The patina now has a very dark orangish- brown hue and remnants of old resin. The pommel shape replicates the shape of a crown, again Portuguese and influence. There is an old wood replacement painted black to the upper part of the hilt to fill the space, which would have originally been a series of stacked iron rings, now long gone. Minor pitting to the blade. A very scarce and powerful sword, with about 20 known examples, most of which are in musuem and private collections.