Accession Number
1998/1.69

Title
Throwing knife

Artist(s)
Ngbaka

Artist Nationality
Ngbaka

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
metal, wood and fabric

Dimensions
18 3/4 in x 14 15/16 in (47.7 cm x 38 cm)

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

Subject matter
The za was thrown by Ngabaka warriors. It could be thrown from twenty to twenty-five meters from its target. Wooden versions of this throwing-knife are also used in training boys and girls as well as in their initiation rites. Today, za may be carried by leaders as a sign of rank and may be held or danced during ceremonial occassions.

Reference:
Blackman, Barbara. Blades of Beauty and Death: African Art Forged in Metal. San Diego, California: Mesa College Art Gallery, 1990.

Physical Description
This multi-bladed knife has three blades. The longest blade is hook-shaped with another blade forming the opposite, straight end of the hook. Protruding from the center of these two blades is a short, triangular blade. Each blade is decorated with fine incisions running along its center. There are six small triangles carved into the knife: two where the handle and the blades meet and four at the center of the hooked blade. The middle of the handle has a protruding metal element that is circular with a single, slightly pointed side. The bottom of the handle is wrapped with woven thread. 

Primary Object Classification
Metalwork

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
ceremonial costume
initiations
knife
metalwork (visual works)
throwing knives