Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

An African sickle throwing knife called "Sengese" from Northern Cameroon. This type of weapon was used in Cameroon as well as in Nigeria. This knife has a heavy forged blade with carved decoration and has its original tribal patina. The handle is covered with a raphia rope. 

Similar model spread among various ethnic groups around the mandara mountains in Northern Cameroon. The shape of the axe may represent a stylized head of a roster, a sacred animal among the Fali tribe

This item has been collected in 1982-84 in Southern Chad. According to Hamillton galery, these iron or brass forms were used by several peoples of No. Nigeria and Cameroon, including the Chamba, Mumuye, Mambila, Idoma and Montol. These forms were recognized and used as currency.

According to ethnological literature the form of this throwing knife from the Magali and Falli tribe in Northern Cameroon reminds one of the cock, which plays an important role in theitr cult belief.

Maybe under  influence of the Ngombé, Doko, and Poto tribes' metalwork 

This throwing knife comes from the southeastern Sara, collected during my stay in Sahr in the 1980 ties. Southern Chad is believed by many to be the birthplace of the African throwing knife. Known as ngalio, these throwing knives were often carried in bunches of three or more in custom leather quivers. Unlike other African weapon-types where style trumps function, this is a purely functional form, used for fighting and hunting. They served as missiles with a range of up to 30 meters.

This throwing knife comes from the southeastern Chad, collected during my stay in Sahr in the 1980 ties. Southern Chad is believed by many to be the birthplace of the African throwing knife. Known as ngalio, these throwing knives were often carried in bunches of three or more in custom leather quivers. Unlike other African weapon-types where style trumps function, this is a purely functional form, used for fighting and hunting. They served as missiles with a range of up to 30 meters.

This throwing knife comes from the southeastern Chad, collected during my stay in Sahr in the 1980 ties. Southern Chad is believed by many to be the birthplace of the African throwing knife. Known as ngalio, these throwing knives were often carried in bunches of three or more in custom leather quivers. Unlike other African weapon-types where style trumps function, this is a purely functional form, used for fighting and hunting. They served as missiles with a range of up to 30 meters.

Collected during my stay in Sahr in the 1980 ties. Chad is believed by many to be the birthplace of the African throwing knife. Known as ngalio, these throwing knives were often carried in bunches of three or more in custom leather quivers. Unlike other African weapon-types where style trumps function, this is a purely functional form, used for fighting and hunting. They served as missiles with a range of up to 30 meters. The present throwing knife is probable of Teda ( a sub-group of the Tubu) origin.

This throwing knife comes from the southeastern  Chad, collected during my stay in Sahr in the 1980 ties. Southern Chad  is believed by many to be the birthplace of the African throwing knife. Known as ngalio, these throwing knives were often carried in bunches of three or more in custom leather quivers. Unlike other African weapon-types where style trumps function, this is a purely functional form, used for fighting and hunting. They served as missiles with a range of up to 30 meters.

This throwing knife comes from the southeastern  Sara, collected during my stay in Sahr in the 1980 ties. Southern Chad  is believed by many to be the birthplace of the African throwing knife. Known as ngalio, these throwing knives were often carried in bunches of three or more in custom leather quivers. Unlike other African weapon-types where style trumps function, this is a purely functional form, used for fighting and hunting. They served as missiles with a range of up to 30 meters.