BAMBALA SLAVER’S BATTLE AXE C.1880-90

The Bambala are a Bantu people who inhabited south central Africa, Congo/Tanzania. They were visited by Dr. David Livingston in the 1860’s and later by the London Missionary Society. They were slavers and slave owners and the area was “ravaged by the slave trade” (Wikipedia). This is Bambala battle axe used in close combat. It is from the Baptist Missionary Society Collection sold in London in the 1980’s. It likely was first collected by the London Missionary Society and donated to the Baptist Missionary Society Collection. We purchased all of the weapons in that collection and this is the only Bambala axe. It is 16” long with wood haft in three stages. The socket end is carved as a stylized animal head with punch detailed. Below the stepped haft is carved with a spiral, then swelled grip. The bit is hammer finished. It has a fine glossy patina with wonderful age character.