TERA Gallery - African Art and Antiquities

"Altering The Way You View The World Of Art"
Type of Object:     
    Ashanti Ceremonial Scimita

    A rare Ashanti chief’’s ceremonial scimitar with cut-out iron blade.
    The blade would have had a double-ball shaped incised and gold-
    leafed wooden handle.  (See this art in the TERA Gallery
    Ceremony and Reglia Collection)   Iron-bladed scimitars or
    swords like this fine Ashanti example were not meant to serve as
    weapons, indeed, the forged blade has no cutting edge. Instead,
    they served to affirm the status of those who touched their own
    ceremonial weapons to the blade at such mass festivals as
    important anniversaries or celebrations of the coronation of kings
    of the diverse groups under Ashanti control.  

    Even today the Ashanti court is still able to mount impressive
    displays of wealth and power. As recently as August 15, 1995
    more than 70,000 guests, all decked out in splendid textiles and
    golden jewelry, celebrated the 25th anniversary of the coronation
    of King Asantehene Okupu Ware II.  Similar, though smaller,
    celebrations are held in the royal courts of minor kings. Chiefly or
    royal scimitars with pierced iron blades very similar to this one,
    with identical gold-leafed handles, can be seen in a full-page color
    photograph in the recently published The Art of African Asante
    ceremonial objects, like their stools, indicate status, power and
    succession of chiefs and kings. Held or displayed in public rituals
    and appearances they functioned as royal sceptres, symbolic
    swords and knives.

    Among the Akan swords of different shapes and complexity serve
    ceremonial, ritual and political purposes. European visitors
    commented upon swords as early as the mid-1600's. They are
    primarily ceremonial and parade swords for they have neither
    point nor cutting edge. Swords (afenaor afenatene) are
    prominently displayed at royal courts as regalia of the king
    reflecting the power and authority of the king. Sword bearers
    precede the king or rest at his feet when he sits in state and
    during occasions when the king is carried in his litter they rest
    their sword hilts against the litter.  Swords are used to swear
    oaths to the king and state, and to identify messengers as they
    carry the king's word while on the king's business. Some swords
    (akrafena) were to keep the king's soul pure and for him to swear
    oaths.  Other gilded wooden-handled swords are of this type and
    if used to swear oaths were known as nsuafena and when used
    as badges of office for messengers or envoys were called
    asomfofena. Swords of the nsuafena type are also used by
    priests during rituals and placed in shrines as objects of
    veneration.


Ethnic Group:       
    Ashanti Society

Country of Origin:          
    Congo
    Ghana


Material:          



Dimensions:

Reference:          
    see p. 150 of Cole and Ross's ARTS OF GHANA. Textiles by
    Duncan Clarke (Thunder Bay Press, 1997)

    Hurst's NGOLA-THE WEAPON AS AUTHORITY, IDENTITY AND
    RITUAL OBJECT IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA.   $150+

             African Arms and Armor by Spings