Kusu Club Knife, 2nd Half 19th C

Description

About 60,000 Kusu live in the Southeastern Congo (Zaire) along the left bank of the
Lualaba River. Formerly a hunting society, in recent years they have become more
sedentary and have turned to agriculture and fishing. They tend to live in small villages
isolated from each other. This knife features 13 1/4″ forged iron blade with bulging center
section and blunt point; shallow central fuller transitioning to a medial ridge toward the tip.
Two-stage hardwood grip, carved with diamond hatching (loose, worn, and split). Metal
with dark mottled rust patina, wood a deep brown.  Very similar example illustrated in Fig.
328 in “Afrikanische Waffen”, by Fischer & Zirngibl. Overall length 18 ½”.