Wrist knife

Object Details

Karamojong artist

Label Text

The wrist knife is found among a number of groups from the southern Sudan, Uganda and Kenya. Unlike some weapons and objects, its use is not restricted to warriors or men of certain age grades and it is also used by women and children. Worn on the wrist like a bracelet, it may have a leather cover padding the inner edge and sheathing the sharp outer rim, leaving the plane of the disk bare. While documentation of function is slim, the wrist knives have been mentioned in one 19th century account in connection with fights that were part of harvest dances. The knives as close weapons were also described as being feared by the Arab slave traders.

Description

C-shaped flat metal blade, outer and inner curve sheathed in fur strip. Plant fiber cord with three blue glass beads pierces outer curve sheath. Inner sheath has white metal wrap at open side

Content Statement

As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.

Image Requests

High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/

Credit Line

Credit line undetermined

Object number

79-7-1

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Sculpture

Medium

Metal, fur, plant fiber, glass beads

Dimensions

H x W x D: 1.3 x 14.9 x 14.9 cm (1/2 x 5 7/8 x 5 7/8 in.)

Geography

Uganda

See more items in

National Museum of African Art Collection

National Museum of African Art

Topic

male

Record ID

nmafa_79-7-1

Metadata Usage (text)

Not determined

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7a44950f9-8889-4cc0-a5e6-fa487b5daf35