Couteauu d´exécution ·  R. D. Congo, Ngala · ID: 3042269

Description

wood, iron, brass, handle with metal tag decor, blade with thorn-like projections and sickle-shaped ending, min. dam., slight traces of usage and corrosion;
the Ngala people developed a knife for executions whose design was likely taken from the Banza throwing knife. The multi-bladed Banza knife was believed to have great magical powers, thus this design was selected for cult and execution knives. A knife was created which symbolized the inexorableness of the judgement and execution. The condemned man was tied to the ground with robes and poles, his head was fastened with leather straps to a bent tree branch, in this way it was assured that the man’s neck would remain stretched and the head would be catapulted far away after the decapitation.