Throwing Knife (Thrumbash), late 19th Century
Mangbetu culture; Democratic Republic of Congo, …

Throwing Knife Currency (Thrumbash)

ClassificationsArms and Armor-knives-throwing knives

Culture Mangbetu

Datelate 19th Century

Made AtDemocratic Republic of the Congo, Africa

MediumWood and iron

Dimensions17 1/2 × 9 3/4 × 1 1/2 in. (44.5 × 24.8 × 3.8 cm)

Credit LineGift of the Goldenberg Estate and the Sweeney Family

Object number2018.10.4

DescriptionA curved, double-edged throwing knife that was used as currency among the Mangbetu people in modern-day Democratic Republic of Congo. These extremely fine knives would commonly be owned by chiefs as signifiers of wealth and were preserved as heirlooms and passed down through generations. The popularity of this currency was due in large part to its utilitarian function. While not all throwing knives could be used as weapons—either being too light or not designed practically for battle—this knife could have been used as a weapon. As the Mangbetu people were polygamists, the knife’s three holes may symbolize the number of wives the holder had.

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