Ceremonial Knife

Men carried knives like this one during public ceremonies as a way of conveying the power and status of themselves and their family. This style of knife was originally made by Ngombe ironsmiths, who hold social roles of responsibility and prestige akin to warrior leaders, chiefs, and judges within their villages. Ironsmiths from neighboring peoples, such as the Poto, also produced knives in this style, reflecting the circulation of metalworking techniques among nearby artists and communities in a fluid, back-and-forth dialogue. Originally, a small pouch made of animal skin was tied to the base of this knife’s handle. This bag contained empowering substances known only to the pouch-maker.