is scant, but one can imagine that these blades lent
themselves to metaphor, as captured in the phrase
“Wise words are a sharp tool.” Worn over the
shoulder or held in the hand while dancing, such
axes or adzes expressed the eloquent or “cutting
edge” speech of those privileged to bear them.
Throwing knives were made in profusion by
master smiths across Central and Equatorial Africa.
Some were used as lethal instruments of war,
carefully balanced aerodynamically to be hurled
as missiles or swung sidearm with devastating
accuracy. Other throwing knives were used as
dance wands, insignia of leadership, bridewealth,
or ritual accoutrements (figs. 25 and 26). Drawing
distinction and competence from combined
precision and beauty, throwing knives are among
the most remarkable innovations of African
blacksmiths.
115
FIG. 28 (above):
Two hundred Zande and
Mobenge blade-shaped
currencies planted in the
ground during a marriage
negotiation. At the turn
of the twentieth century,
a prospective groom’s
family would have paid
fifty to one hundred such
currencies to help meet
a bridewealth obligation.
By mid century, inflation
had doubled the amount
required.
Photo © H. Goldstein (Inforcongo),
1952. Image © 2018 Artists Rights
Society (ARS), New York/SOFAM,
Brussels. EP.0.0.8782, RMCA
Tervuren collection.
FIG. 29 (below right):
Bridewealth bundle of spear
blade–shaped currencies,
adjenge.
Budja; DR Congo.
Late 19th century.
Iron, plant-fiber cordage. H: 58 cm.
Felix Collection. Image courtesy Felix
Collection; Photo: Dick Beaulieu,
2005
FIG. 30 (left): Hoe blade–shaped currency.
Nyamwezi; Tanzania. Early 20th century.
Iron. H: 74 cm.
Itzikovitz Collection. Photograph by Brigitte Cavanagh, 2017.
FIG. 31 (below): Spear blade–shaped currency.
Mbole; DR Congo. Late 19th century.
Iron, wood. H: 198.12 cm.
Nicole and John Dintenfass. Photograph by Vincent Girier
Dufournier, 2017. © Nicole and John Dintenfass.
FIG. 27 (left): Hoe blade–
shaped currencies.
Angas; Nigeria. Late 19th
to early 20th century.
Iron. H: 102 cm.
Private collection.
Image © courtesy Fowler Museum at
UCLA. Photo: Don Cole, 2018.
These substantial hoe blade–shaped
currencies are constructed from a
solid patchwork of dozens of iron
fragments forge-welded together
by several blacksmiths working
collectively. Imprinted across the
surfaces are blow-by-blow accounts
left by hefty hammers and the coarse
texture of a stone anvil. Planted
upright on their tangs in the ground
to line a matrimonial pathway as
bridewealth, these commanding
forms offered an abundant store of
iron for future use by the bride’s
family.
STRIKING IRON