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
Haut- Uélé District, Orientale Province, Congo Free State - Belgian Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Early 20th century (ca. 1900 - 1930)
Iron, wood, steel wire, alloy (aluminum ?)
Blade: 19,1cm
Hilt & Blade: 35,6cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2022
Collection Number: 266

Ex. Irv Fischer Collection: Michigan, USA

A trumbash "sickle knife," also known as an emambele, is a symbolic object of rank within the Mangbetu and surrounding people. 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. This example comes from the Irv Fischer Collection and is typical of the type.

The hand forged sickle shaped blade is expressly flaired to its tip. The center of the blade has a blackening (burnt palm oil) separated by a thick squared medial ridge. Two opposite protrusions at the base of the blade. Three circular holes are cut out in the center plane.

Wood carved cylindrical hilt with a thick pommel. Steel wire is wrapped around the upper grip with another metal alloy wire (aluminum?), possibly a later replacement for a damaged section.