Old Throwing Knife, MAFA-MATAKAM Tribe – Northern Cameroon

Forged iron, braided leather handle. Cm. 62,0 high (24.41″); weight: grams 698,0 (24.62 oz.).

The Kirdi blacksmiths 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 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).

For a similar example see:
– “The Perfect Form”, by Roberto Ballarini, page 171.
– “African Currency”, by Adolfo Bartolomucci, page 60.

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