Accession Number
1998/1.65

Title
Ceremonial Knife

Artist(s)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
metal and wood

Dimensions
19 5/16 in x 6 11/16 in (49 cm x 17 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Susan B. and John F. Ullrich

Label copy

Subject matter
The elaborate design of this knife suggests its use as a symbol of prestige rather than an acutal weapon. Most likely made by the Ekonda, a subgroup of the Mongo peoples who live in what is today the Democratic Republic of the Congo; these skillful metalsmiths made many kinds of tools, weapons, and ceremonial objects. Similar knives were used as an insignia of office for the nkumu, the Ekonda political leader. Elaborate knives may also have been used as currency, as iron money was used in bridewealth payments throughout large portions of Central Africa.

References Cited: 
Berardi, Marianne. 2004. Standing on ceremony: traditional African arms from the Donna L. and Robert H. Jackson Collection. Cleveland: The Western Reserve Historical Society.
Dewey, William J. 2003. The World Moves, We follow: Celebrating African Art. Knoxville: Frank H. McClung Museum, The University of Tennessee.
Hurst, Norman. 1997. Ngola: The Weapon as Authority, Identity, and Ritual Object in Sub-Saharan Africa. Cambridge, MA: Hurst Gallery.

Physical Description
Bifurcated blade with multiple curved projections and a wooden handle. 

Primary Object Classification
Arms and Armor

Primary Object Type
knife

Collection Area
African

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
knife
prestige
symbols of office or status
weapon currency
weapons