Sword

ClassificationsArms and Armor-swords

Culturepossibly Ngombe

Culturepossibly Poto

Culturepossibly Doko

Dateearly 19th Century

Made AtDemocratic Republic of the Congo, Africa

MediumMetal, fiber and hide

Dimensions26 × 4 × 4 in. (66 × 10.2 × 10.2 cm)

Credit LineGift of David Poiry

Object number2013.12.3

DescriptionThis is a short sword made by the Ngombe, Poto, or Doko speaking peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the early 19th Century. These swords were used as weapons, objects of power, and as marriage currency. The incised geometric design on this swords blade is also found on other blades. While it is unknown what the design means, it is possible that it could act as an ideogram connected to symboladen tribal markings found on important individuals or have symbolic meaning that we cannot decipher. The swords pommel is made of animal skin and filled with organic materials.

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