MUSEUM COLLECTION 8 METAL WEAPONS USED as MONEY CONGO

Description

MUSEUM QUALITY COLLECTION of 8 METAL WEAPONS USED as MONEY in TURN of the CENTURY CONGO
Before the introduction in Africa, of paper money and coins, in the 19th century, trade-currency was produced in several metallic forms. One of the most popular was the '
Knife & Axe
blades' used by the Kuba people with a population of more than a quarter of a million
( was made up of: Bieeng, Bokila, Bulaang, Bushoong, Idiing, Ilebo, Kaam, Kayuweeng, Kel, Maluk, Ngeende, Ngongo, Ngoombe, Pyaang and Shoowa ) were noted in the area since the 16th century and were relatively well insulated from both the Arab slave raids and the European incursion in what is today Southeastern Congo.
Besides the mere trade value of these
knives
which was, for example,
25
for a slave ( in 18
8
5 ) or representing about
1
5 Shillings ( 189
8
), they were most often used as the 'bride-price' to be paid to the bride's parents, as compensation for their loss of her valuable work services. Several
types
were popular
both simple ( in the upper right of the picture ) and ornate ( such as the one shown in the lower left of the panel ).
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