Ceremonial iron swords with ornamented metal hilts and scabbards. The hilt ends in an openwork crown of six small figures linked hand in hand, with bells hanging below it; further bells hang along the scabbard.

1. Form and Decoration

The blades are narrow and taper to a point. The hilt is a flat, ornamented shaft with a rectangular guard decorated with a grid pattern, from which two pear-shaped bells hang, and it is topped by the crown of six figures. The scabbard is covered with ornamented plates with incised geometric patterns and carries a series of bells on both sides. The catalogue gives the length of the larger sword as 160 cm and that of the smaller as 150 cm. One sword is shown here both sheathed and drawn.

2. Use and Context

According to the collection catalogue, the two swords come from the Nganbé Chiefdom and were used at the enthronement of the Tikar chieftain Ngmansie Ntagout as a symbol of his invulnerability and invincibility. At this ceremony, which was significant for the whole tribe, the chieftain stood on the larger sword while the smaller one was placed on his head.

3. Surface and Condition

The blade has a dark, rough iron surface with lighter spots of wear. The metal fittings of hilt and scabbard are brass-brown, with darker colour in the recesses of the incised patterns.

Summary

These Tikar ceremonial swords combine narrow iron blades with a hilt crowned by six linked figures and a scabbard hung with bells. They were used at the enthronement of a Tikar chieftain.