About this object

Throwing knives were widely produced and used across a vast swathe of central Africa, as far east as the Nile and southwest to Gabon, and in many cultures. This elegant example crafted from iron comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, from the Zande (or Azande) peoples, who also live in areas in South Sudan and the Central African Republic. (”Zande” refers to kingdoms which formed primarily in the 18th century, in the aftermath of incursions and conquering of several different peoples, and is thus made up of multiple ethnic groups.) Often known as kpinga (or kipinga) in the Zande context, knives such as this were used in warfare, but by the late 19th century were primarily employed for prestige, social, or ceremonial purposes. Although often elaborately incised or bound with brass or copper, this kpinga does not appear to have been so embellished.

In this lively description of a Zande throwing knife accompanying an acquisition of such a weapon at the Metropolitan Museum, one gets a striking visual image of the knife in action – and one can imagine how effective (lethal) they could be: “Zande knives have multiple blades that branch out from the central shaft in a variety of sinuous curves and jutting prongs that suggest the knives' whirling motion as they are hurled end over end.” (Newton et al., 75; entry by Kate Ezra.) Another scholar conjures the fear such a weapon must have instilled: “When thrown, each blade of a spinning knife reflected sunlight, causing the knife to flash, while the knife's rapid spinning created a whine similar to a bull roarer.” (McNaughton, 55.) Both “devastating and decorative,” throwing knives were “carefully balanced aerodynamically to be hurled as missiles or swung sidearm with devastating accuracy.” (National Museum of African Art.)

Even at the height of their use as weapons, kpinga were treasured as important symbolic objects: “Before a battle, Zande rulers distributed these knives to their troops, who often kept them, preferring to use other weapons for actual fighting rather than lose a symbol of their leader's command.” (Newton et al., 75.) Throwing knives held an extremely significant place in many cultures, manifesting strength and ability, as well as being powerful tools in battle. In fact, the people of the Kuba Kingdom (in present day DRC) “called themselves Bashongo, which means ‘people of the lightning’ or ‘people of the throwing knife.’ (McNaughton, 55.)

For more information on the Kuba Kingdom, see 2021.6.4 and 2021.6.7