Congolese Ngombe Ngulu Sword. Sn - 22911 Other Blade

The Ngulu sword is known as an executioner’s sword, for its primary use over a large area of the Congo. Manufactured by the Ngombe tribe. These dramatic and elaborate knives were also used as ceremonial pieces over a wide area of Congo. The knives were used in the execution of murderers and also in ceremonial executions of slaves as ceremonial events and the chosen were invariably slaves in a ceremony to conclude a pact of peace among two warring tribes. By the 20th century, the ngulu had been transformed into a ceremonial dance blade due to the rules of colonial Belgium which banned execution and cannibalism The Ngombe were known as voracious cannibals and used the knife in the Likbeti dance, which often lasted two days. A goat was sacrificed with a single stroke of the ngulu sword at the end of the dance, and feasting consumed the goat just as human victims were in earlier times. This is an original ngula sword measuring 29 inches in length including the wooden handle. the blade has the characteristic ngula blade style with the hooked point. The blade has crude hammered decoration to it and the wooden handle is attached by a coiled flat piece of iron wire forming part of the grip. The blade has a nice patina to the surface that gives it a nice age. The price for this ceremonial sword includes U.K. delivery. Sn 22911