Royal sword "ilwoon" or "ilondo" in raffia sheath ·  D. R. Congo, Kuba-Bushoong · ID: 3045902

Description

steel, wood, handle with richly punched copper sheet cladding (small missing part), raffia sheath with velvet embroidery (“Kasai plush”)

The blade is inserted into the handle with resin-like putty. Cowry snails are pressed into the mass and an animal claw is inserted on each side.

Originally these swords were used as a weapon of war. However, after the colonial system stopped the fights between the tribes, this classic type of sword knife was converted and used as a status weapon and dance utensil.

Comparing literature

Zirngibl, Manfred A. & Alexander Kubetz, Panga na visu, Riedlhütte 2009, p. 209, ill. 501