antiques
Double circular bladed sword, Bango
Double Sickle Blade, bango or bwagogambanza.
Lobala / Mondzombo / Ngbaka / Bondjo, D.R. Congo
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This sword is prevalent among the Lobala and Ngbaka communities in central Zaire.
Numerous legends surround its use in executions or ceremonies. Regardless of the truth of these stories, the sword remains highly striking and has always been seen as a symbol of prestige.
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In its abstract human form, the Bango blade exhibits both symmetry and refinement. Elsen defines the role of this type of blade as "luxury weapons for notables and chiefs." They were also used ceremonially, notably in initiation rites for young men (Gosseau, Tribal Arms Monographs Vol. 1 Nº2 , 1997).
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​This particular example features a double blade, measuring 52,3 cm in length with a finely forged edge. The hilt is crafted from wood with a faceted finish. Both the top of the hilt and the base of the blade are wrapped in copper strips.
The sword is in excellent condition, retaining its original steel blackening surface with a small dots pattern. Also the most part of the edge retains the striped pattern.
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Brooklyn Museum example.
Price: 485 €,-
Bruel, Georges (1871-1944), “La France équatoriale africaine : le pays, les habitants, la colonisation, les pouvoirs publics”
Bibliothèque numérique Paris 8
Larose Editeur.
© To the author and publisher of this book.
Detail. Tribal Arms Monographs n°2, page 48.
Author Christian Gosseau
© To the author and publisher of this book.
Young women holding a Bango probably during a ceremony or initiation ritual.
© To the author and publisher of these photographs.
Blackmun succinctly captures the essence of this blade's function while describing a related but distinct weapon:
"Despite the sharp cutting edges on the outside of the two arching blades, beautiful swords of this type were designed primarily as emblems of rank. They were carried by men of authority on public occassions. Like the Ngombe sacrificial swords, they are shaped and decorated for beauty and elegance, and enhanced with copper and brass"
(Blades of Beauty and Death, 1990).
Dating, Early 20th century.
Iron, wood, copper wire.
Overall length: 52,3 cm.
Max width: 18,6 cm.
Weight, 564 grams.
