Mongo Currency Knife
Mongo / Mbole - Tetela - Genya - Lokele - Soko - Nkutshu - Topoke - Ngandu or neighboring tribes
Lomami River Region, Belgian Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Early 20th century (ca. 1900 - 1930)
Iron, wood, copper
Blade: 18,7cm
Hilt & Blade: 31,8cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2024
Collection Number: 437

A currency knife of the Mongo Peoples, probably from the Mbole subgroup or close proximity neighboring tribes. The iron blade is double- edged with a thick medial ridge. One side of the blade is convexed while the opposite side is concaved. It is widened toward the base with two flared prongs extending outward before tapering inward to an acute point. Wooden hilt bound in copper wire with a cup shaped bottom grip. The pommel is a heavy diamond- shaped iron weight 6,4cm wide, and 3,8cm thick. An uncommon variation showcasing one of the many blade forms of Mongo blacksmiths.

• https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1954-23-2571

• http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=684

• http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=1676

• http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=991

• http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=631

• https://african-weapons.com/gallery?lokele-from-the-scabbard-before-41-x-12-cm

• https://african-weapons.com/gallery?8-east-drc-49-cm

• https://galleryrider.com/index.php/tribal-art/archive/symmetrical-blades/short-sword-mongo-dr-congo-1