FINE TETELA SLAVER’S KNIFE

Mid-19th century. 7 3/4” very finely forged trowel form blade with delicate recurved profile, bordered by three ridges. Crenulated back and double grooved medial. The grip shaped for two hands with tapered circular section pommel. The Tetela were slavers who used a variety of weapons depending on the situation. Shorter weapons served battle at close quarters as in the hut or kral with spears and sword used on the battlefield. Once subdued, the adversaries were sorted for usefulness and saleability with fit men and women sent to market, and young men sometimes introduced into the ranks of the slavers. The old, infirm and wounded were executed which was the function of this weapon. Museum quality indicative of a slaver among the most successful.