Throwing Knife – Iron – Matakam – Cameroon

An African sickle throwing knife called “Sengese” from Northern Cameroon. This type of weapon was used in Cameroon as well as in Nigeria. This knife has a heavy forged blade with carved decoration and has its original tribal patina. The handle is covered with a raphia rope.

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 muder blades, sengese blades are engraved on both sides.”

Provenance: Manfred Schäfer, former gallery owner from Ulm, (Germany). Comes with custom made stand.