Shona Tsomho Axe

Shona Tsomho Axe
Shona / Tsonga / Korekore
Mashonaland - Matabelaland - British Mashonaland (Zimbabwe - Mozambique - South Africa - Zambia)
Last half 19th century (ca. 1870s - 1890s)
Iron, wood, brass
Blade: 23,2cm
Haft Length: 86cm
Total Length: 94cm
Collection Date: 2024
Collection Number: 414

An axe from the Shona, Tsonga, Korekore, or surrounding neighbors known as a "tsomho" axe or dancing axe. It is used during cultural festivals or religious ceremonies from tribes of the Shona people.

The axe has a wooden cylindrical haft with a dark patina ending in a coned top. It is decorated with 11 sections of bound brass wire. The iron head is crescent shaped with incised cross-hatched triangular decorations on the tang. Some minor loss to the brass binding.