Ceremonial adze "khaandu" ·  D. R. Congo, Yaka · ID: 3032528

Description

wood, partly encrusted patina, remains of polychrome paint, slightly corroded metal, shaft partly wrapped in copper sheet, crowned by a human head with tribe-typical facial features and headgear, an iron blade emerging from its mouth, min. dam., missing parts through insect caused damage, cracks, on base;
insignia of a headman (“leemba”), used to be carried over the shoulder, when visiting lineage members. It could even have been part of the insignias of a regional chief or a “ngaanga ngombu” diviner.

Comparing literature

Bourgeois, Arthur P., The Yaka and Suku, Leiden 1985, pl. VI