19th century, Congo. Forged 19" d.e. squared tipped blade. Beveled edges, the field with a punched texture throughout. Wood grip lacking any trade ornamentation owing to the isolation of the Bwaka. Grip sound with encrustation. Blade shows a little spotty rusting in protected areas but very good for its age. The Bwaka (or Ngbaka) migrated south from Lake Chad and fought for territory with indigenous Congolese people. They were not slavers and fought fiercely against slaver’s predation and French colonization. The last war was with the Ngbandi in 1920.
