TETELA SLAVER’S SHORTSWORD OR DAGGER

Fischer #214. Finely forged 7 1/2" blade. The field offset in two planes at the medial, each with the edge raised to the plane of the opposite side. Each edge of recurved profile with the distinct Tetela barb terminals. One piece wood hilt with dished pommel encrusted with fetish material. The Tetela were cannibals and probably the fiercest of all tribes. They were slavers, at constant war with their neighbors and fought the Mad Mahdi's Army in 1885 defeating them twice. They fought the great slaver, Tippu Tip, ultimately driving the Arabs out in 1891. This weapon was used for a savage surprise attack which would kill or wound victims destined for the flesh market where their butchered bodies were sold by the piece. See Glave who witnessed the process about 1890. Ex: Baptist Missionary Society Collection.