Bangala Spear Tip Currency Congo

Overall Condition: Poor. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners. 

Damage/Repair: Rusting surface, bent metal, broken and missing end

A Bangala speartip currency from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa. Such gong's are also found among many other cultures throughout Central and West Africa.
The Nkutsu and particularly their neighbors the Jonga are well known for their skilled blacksmiths who produced various objects in metal including such gongs made for use by the members of the Nkumi society. The Nkutshu occupy the region between the rivers Kasai, Sankuru and Lomami; the Jonga live by the Tshuapa River one of the tributaries of the greater Congo in the neighboring of the Mongo, Tetela, and Nkutshu where the sculpture of wood is not quite developed.

According to Roberto Ballarini, Such gongs were used as a symbol of brotherhood. The gong was beaten worth a stick covered with rubber at the end. During ceremonies, metal gongs were used to set the rhythm for music, establishes the cadence for rituals, religious ceremonies. Only members of a certain grade had the right to beat such a gong. Such gongs were also used as currency among number of Congolese ethnic groups. The gong has an elegant form. The handle was probably bound with raffia or other vegetable fiber.  The age of this example is unknown although the rusted surface evidences the gong has a good age and has been extensively exposed to the elements.

Identification from the Hamill Hallery's 2003 currency exhibit catalog.

ME0818