Bakatwa, prestige ceremonial knife

Notes

The bakatwa is a ceremonial double-edged dagger or short sword from the Shona people of Zimbabwe. Bakatwa were powerful prestige objects with deep spiritual significance related to ancestor veneration. Distinct from everyday Shona knives, the bakatwa serves as an insignia for religious leaders like diviner-healers (n'angas) and spirit-mediums (svikiros), symbolising their authority.

The blade is typically hand-forged, and the hilt is made of wood, often featuring intricate bindings of copper or brass wire. The wooden scabbard, or hara, is similarly decorated. The swords are passed down through generations, becoming symbolic embodiments of previous owners and a tangible link to one's lineage. In religious rituals, the bakatwa is even addressed as if it were the ancestor's physical presence. The craftsmanship involved in creating a bakatwa is a highly respected skill within Shona culture.

Provenance

Colin Sayers Collection.