The throwing knife below has been vetted as authentic.
Photographs © Hamill Gallery
MAFA / MATAKAM
SENGESE THROWING KNIFE 72
20 1/2" high x 6 1/4" wide x 3/4" deep
Nigeria / Cameroon
$400
"This Sengese throwing knife was made between 1940 and 1970. The handle is bound with leather (see detail).
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 murder blades, sengese blades are engraved on both sides."
---Ethan Rider www.ertribal.com
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MJM07072017