About this object

African throwing knives, of which this iron and wood piece from the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a fine example, have been important weapons and ceremonial objects among a large number of groups across a vast area of the continent. The knives were made in a huge variety of forms; this style, called an emambele, is one of two curved knives known as trumbash made by the Mangbetu of northeastern D.R.C. Emambele often have perforations in the blade, as this one does; these were apparently to hold copper buttons signifying the owner’s rank or ability (McNaughton). The trumbash has a simpler shape than some of the multi-bladed  throwing knives; see e.g. this Konda palm knife or this Kipinga, also from the D.R.C.