MAFA / MATAKAM SENGESE THROWING KNIFE 70, Nigeria / Cameroon

The throwing knife below was made for sale.


Photographs © Hamill Gallery


MAFA / MATAKAM

SENGESE THROWING KNIFE 70
20 1/2" high x 6" wide x 1/4" deep
Nigeria / Cameroon
$150

"This throwing knife probably never had a handle and was most likely made for sale, but it's made by the tribe, and probably by the original blacksmith. However, it's not as small as the true tourist pieces.

The blacksmiths of the so called Kirdi people of the Mandara mountains of northern Cameroon and eastern Nigeria produced a fascinating variety of knives that share the general outline of the F-shaped throwing knives of Chad. Too heavy to be thrown, these sengese knives were reserved for use as hand weapons and prestige symbols (Westerdijk, African Metal Implements, 1984).

Elsen says that these prestige weapons were part of the ceremonial dress of adult men, raised during official events, but also use 'for strolling in public' (De fer et de fierté, 2003). Like the Ingessana's muder blades, sengese blades are engraved on both sides."

---Ethan Rider www.ertribal.com

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