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Type: weapon

Ethnic Group: Kuba (Bakuba)

Country: Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)

ECU Number: L0074-A

Description: 074-A --This Kuba axe has an iron blade and carved wood head.

Significance researched to date: African metalsmiths have been smelting iron and copper from indigenous ore for over 2000 years. They forged blades into impressive works of art. Some objects were functional weapons, others were carried, danced, or tossed in the air in ceremonial occasions. Still others indicated the judicial or religious authority of their owners. Made of iron or copper, some were of exceptional size and Òaesthetic power,Ò serving as currency along rivers and trade routes of Zaire.The Kuba empire called itself ÒBushongo,Ó which means Òpeople of the throwing knife,Ó after its throwing knife, ÒShongo.Ó It conquered and influenced neighboring tribes, who were assimilated and all became Kuba. The Kuba king Shamba-Bolongogo, who reigned from1600-1620, established a peaceful kingdom. He preached morality and loving oneÕs enemies. He forbade the legendary throwing knife, ÒShongo,Ó and introduced the peace knife, ÒIkula,Ó which is still used by the Kuba today.The multi-bladed knife that rotates in flight was ivented in sub-Saharan Africa. It was thrown with a quick horizontal motion of the wrist that sent it spinning toward an enemy with each steel edge capable of cutting into the bone. The most efficient knife had a range of 20-50 meters. ÒAnd when they throw it they donÕt miss.ÓThis is a ceremonial knife used as the chiefÕs insignia and fashioned to an impressive degree of craftsmanship by the royal blacksmith. Blacksmiths were given high status. As direct descendents of ancestors who brought fire from the sun, they were considered intermediaries between gods and man. Working with iron from the earth, from which their ancestors came, and fire from the sun, they were seen as having power from both the earth and the sun. Always descendants of previous blacksmiths, they learned the craft from their fathers and married only daughters of blacksmiths. They alone were allowed to make ceremonial pieces such as this one.

Type:	weapon
Ethnic Group:	Kuba (Bakuba)
Country:	Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
ECU Number:	L0074-A

Description:	074-A --This Kuba axe has an iron blade and carved wood head.
Significance researched to date:	African metalsmiths have been smelting iron and copper from indigenous ore for over 2000 years. They forged blades into impressive works of art. Some objects were functional weapons, others were carried, danced, or tossed in the air in ceremonial occasions. Still others indicated the judicial or religious authority of their owners. Made of iron or copper, some were of exceptional size and Òaesthetic power,Ò serving as currency along rivers and trade routes of Zaire.The Kuba empire called itself ÒBushongo,Ó which means Òpeople of the throwing knife,Ó after its throwing knife, ÒShongo.Ó It conquered and influenced neighboring tribes, who were assimilated and all became Kuba. The Kuba king Shamba-Bolongogo, who reigned from1600-1620, established a peaceful kingdom. He preached morality and loving oneÕs enemies. He forbade the legendary throwing knife, ÒShongo,Ó and introduced the peace knife, ÒIkula,Ó which is still used by the Kuba today.The multi-bladed knife that rotates in flight was ivented in sub-Saharan Africa. It was thrown with a quick horizontal motion of the wrist that sent it spinning toward an enemy with each steel edge capable of cutting into the bone. The most efficient knife had a range of 20-50 meters. ÒAnd when they throw it they donÕt miss.ÓThis is a ceremonial knife used as the chiefÕs insignia and fashioned to an impressive degree of craftsmanship by the royal blacksmith. Blacksmiths were given high status. As direct descendents of ancestors who brought fire from the sun, they were considered intermediaries between gods and man. Working with iron from the earth, from which their ancestors came, and fire from the sun, they were seen as having power from both the earth and the sun. Always descendants of previous blacksmiths, they learned the craft from their fathers and married only daughters of blacksmiths. They alone were allowed to make ceremonial pieces such as this one.