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Double-bladed ceremonial sword (ngulu)
Ngombe and neighboring peoples
mid 20th century
Object Place: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Medium/Technique
Iron, wood
Dimensions
Overall: 69.9 cm (27 1/2 in.)
Lender Accessory: 55.2 x 11.4 x 11.4 cm (21 3/4 x 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 in.)
Lender Accessory: 55.2 x 11.4 x 11.4 cm (21 3/4 x 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Anonymous gift
Accession Number2006.2040
CollectionsAfrica and Oceania
ClassificationsWarfare, hunting, fishing – Swords, daggers, knives
Despite the sharp cutting edges on the outside of the two arching blades, beautiful swords of this double-ngulu type (also known as bango or bwagogambanza) were designed primarily as emblems of rank that were carried by men of authority on public occasions.
ProvenanceBetween January 1992 and December 1993, sold by Amyas Naegle, New York, to anonymous donors; 2006, anonymous year-end gift to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 24, 2007)