Old Large Salampasu Sword – DR Congo – Outstanding Item

Early to mid 20th century. A large, well-forged sword from the Salampasu tribe. Former Belgian collection.

The sword is cm 58,5 in length (23.03″); the blade is cm 46,0 (18.11″) in length razor sharp on both edges. The grip is carved and partially covered with snakeskin. The scabbard, dyed in the rusty color, is complete with leather-covered wood of considerable age. Woven rattan at the top, back, and bottom is braided and intact. Grams 948,9 (33.47 oz).

The Salampasu is a sword unlike any other. Despite looking like a ceremonial and decorative sword, the Salampasu was a functional blade used heavily for combat. Its characteristics are unusual and made to intimidate the neighborings tribes.

The Salampasu people live east of the Kasai River, on the frontier between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola. A people with a reputation as fearless warriors, their name is said to mean “hunters of locusts”, but they were widely viewed with terror by adjacent groups who (justifiably) regard them as cannibals . The Salampasu have retained the custom of a rough and primitive life. The they are homogeneous people governed by territorial chiefs, who supervise village chiefs. Their hierarchical power structure is counterbalanced by a warriors’ society.

M24