A cimpaba (sometimes tshimphaaba or chimpaba) is a sword from the Woyo of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Uses
It is a Woyo dignitary's symbol.1 It is part of the attributes of power of the Mangoyo (the king).2 Its shape is very special and cannot be confused with any other type of African knives or swords, the handle is often made of ivory. The cimpaba is also used among the Kakongo and the Vili3 in the Muanda region, in the lower Congo.4
References
References
- Robert Joost Willink, Stages in Civilisation : Dutch Museums in Quest of West Central African Collections (1856-1889), 2007, p.178
- Habi Buganza Mulinda, Aux origines du royaume de Ngoyo
- Tristan Arbousse Bastide: Du couteau au sabre, Verlag Archaeopress, 2008 ISBN 9781407302539, S. 85 [1]
- Manfred A. Zirngibl, Alexander Kubetz: panga na visu. Kurzwaffen, geschmiedete Kultgegenstände und Schilde aus Afrika. HePeLo-Verlag, 2009, ISBN 978-3-9811254-2-9, S. 183 u. 307
Bibliography
Bibliography
- Joseph Balu Balila, L'investiture des chefs spirituels Woyo, 1998, 81 p.
- Joseph-Aurélien Cornet, Pictographies Woyo, PORO, Associazione degli Amici dell'Arte Extraeuropea, Milan, 1980, 141 p.
- Harriet McGuire, « Woyo pot lids », African Arts (Los Angeles), n° 13-2, février 1980, p. 54-56.
- Habi Buganza Mulinda, « Aux origines du royaume de Ngoyo », Civilisations, n°41, 1993, p. 165-187.