Mangbetu Trumbash (Emambele) Sickle Knife

  • Mangbetu Trumbash (Emambele) Sickle Knife

  • Mangbetu Trumbash (Emambele) Sickle Knife

  • Mangbetu Trumbash (Emambele) Sickle Knife

  • Mangbetu Trumbash (Emambele) Sickle Knife

Mangbetu Trumbash (Emambele) Sickle Knife
Mangbetu People
Uélé District, Congo Free State - Haut- District, Orientale Province, Belgian Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Early 20th century (ca. 1900 - 1930)
Iron, wood
Blade: 26cm
Hilt & Blade: 40,6cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2022
Collection Number 265

A trumbash "sickle knife," also known as an emambele, is a symbolic object of rank within the Mangbetu and surrounding peoples. Trumbash are also used as a form of currency, and their styles of blacksmithing can vary with the angle of the blade, protrusions, holes, materials, and decoration.

The iron forged sickle shaped blade has a central raised plane and is slightly flaired at its tip. Two circular cut holes and blackened in the center. Two hexagonal protrusions on the spine and one on front near the base. Line etchings on the ricasso. Wood carved cylindrical hilt.