Manzhi

Manzhi
Information
Weapon type:	Axe
Use:	Ceremonial or status weapon
Region of origin / ; author:	Cameroon
Overall length:	about 40 cm
Lists on the subject

Axes of the Kirdi with rounded shapes in the Museu Afro Brasil

Manzhi is a traditional ax from Cameroon , which served as a ceremonial or status weapon .

description

Manzhi was used by the Bana , Kapsiki , Fali and Kirdi of Cameroon . Manzhi has a broad, single-edged ax head. The cutting edge is slightly curved inwards. The ax head has a horn-like, sharp and pointed extension at the top. The ax head is made of brass , aluminum or iron . The shaft is either made of the same metal as the ax head or made of wood and is sometimes wrapped in leather or textile . The total length is around 40 cm. The form that is supposed to represent a stylized rooster was probably introduced by the Fali; there the rooster is worshiped as a sacred animal . As a status weapon, the ax symbolized the social position of the wearer. It was also used at dances and funerals and worn by the brother or son of the deceased.

There are certain similarities to the Filipino Igorot head ax .

Web links

Fali Dance Ax , Kirdi Ax at artkhade.com
Ax - KIRDI-MANZHI - Nigeria at auction.catawiki.com
Brass dance ax at Dorotheum
CAMEROON AX, 19th CENTURY at faganarms.com
Ceremonial iron ax - Mandara mountains at ethnicdesign.ch
Ceremonial axes mandara mountains at bukowskis.com
MUMUYE CURRENCY at hamillgallery.com

Individual evidence

↑ Manfred A. Zirngibl : Rare African handguns. Morsak Verlag, 1983, ISBN 3-87553-198-1 . Pp. 30-31.
^ Ax in: Brooklyn Museum
↑ Peter Westerdijk : African Metal Implements: Weapons, Tools, and Regalia , Verlag Hillwood Art Gallery, 1984, p. 20, Fig. 56-57 [1]

[1] Manfred A. Zirngibl : Rare African handguns. Morsak Verlag, 1983, ISBN 3-87553-198-1 . Pp. 30-31.

[2] Ax in: Brooklyn Museum

[3] Peter Westerdijk : African Metal Implements: Weapons, Tools, and Regalia , Verlag Hillwood Art Gallery, 1984, p. 20, Fig. 56-57 [1]