African Arts Gallery

This type of combat weapon could also form a ceremonial accessory during ritual dance ceremonies. The blade has a wooden handle with a light, satin patina.
Established in the forest in the northeast of Zaire, between Bomokandi and the Uele River, the Mangbetu kingdom expressed itself through architectural works that fascinated European visitors in the 19th century. Their furniture, weapons, ornaments, pottery and statuary were imbued with a rare aesthetic quality. Several groups established south of the Uele were placed under the authority of the Mangbetu kingdom in 1820: Bangaba, Makere, Mamvu, etc. A wealth of prestigious objects, as well as utilitarian objects, were produced for dignitaries . From 1892, Niangara becoming the Belgian colonial capital, taxes were collected from families.