Chokwe Axe - Lwena Axe

 

Circa 1900 - ex Wolf-Dieter Miersch Collection

 

 

 

Chokwe / Lwena Axe - Published: Islamic and Native Weapons of Colonial Africa 1800 / 1960 - Anthony C. Tirri - pg 376

 

Click image above for a larger resolution image of the axe.

 

This circa 1900 Chokwe authorative axe has a forged iron blade and was formerly in the collections of Anthony Tirri and Wolf-Dieter Miersch. Called a chimbuya, it was a 'court art' object owned by chiefs - headman and nobles. Numerous brass tacks decorate its upper and lower haft. The axe measures + - 46 cm x 26.5 cm, or  + - 18 x 10.5 inches.

 

 

 

 Henrique Augusto Dias de Carvalho - Circa 1890

 

Chimbuya axes are deeply rooted in symbolism, status and power. They are held as an insignia and command respect. One can see how they dominate, even overpower, the figurative scepters above. The collector Carvalho, was an ethnologist who arrived in Angola during the later half of the 19th century.  

 

 

 

 

Chokwe  (Tshokwe - Jokwe), Lwena and Luvale peoples, represent the core area of this axe style. They live in Angola, Congo DRC and Western Zambia. As a result of trade, related tribes are known to have possessed this axe form, though stylistic differences occur to those of their own. Chokwe axes have been collected from Lunda, as well as the Kwamashi, Luchazi (Chazi), Mbunda (Bundu - Mbundu), Mbwela (Ambuella - Mbuella), Minungu, Ngangela (Imbangala), Ovimbundu, Shinji and Songo peoples.

 

 

 

Photo - Dr. Manuel A. Jordán - Circa 2006

 

As mentioned, groups outside the core Chokwe / Lwena / Luvale groups have their own style of status axes. However, ideas and objects moved between people, contributing to an overlap of culture and confusion. Above - a typically Luchazi axe that at the time was owned by a Lunda chief residing in Western Zambia.
 

 

 

Serpa Pinto - How I Crossed Africa - Vol I  pg 294 - Circa 1880

 

Another axe of  similar form - attributed to the Mbwela (Ambuella - Mbuella) of Cangamba Angola, by the explorer Serpa Pinto. The blade is an enlarged version of a regional arrow form.

 

 

 

Verney Lovett Cameron  C.B., D.C.L. - Circa 1873

 

Arrows of the Chokwe / Lwena / Luvale tribes are well known for their fantastic diversity. As far as we are aware, V L Cameron was the first to record their forms with chimbuya axes, when trekking through Congo and Angola. The nine arrow examples to the right of the image are of Chokwe / Lwena origin, as is the example - below right. Note its similarity to the chimbuyu axe blade. Luchazi people name this arrow chimbuya, which the nearby Chokwe call 'likanzo', meaning 'a line of hunters'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carving and detailed motifs represent a symbolic language to Chokwe and related people. The fine detailed carving atop the hilt of the Chokwe axe (above left), represents a musical instrument - traditionally played by hunters, an example of which is shown below.

 

 

 

Lunda royal gathering - Zambia - Photography Manual Jordan - 2006

 

 

Below the musical instrument placed side by side - are flared tubular protrusions. These are stylized elongated duiker horns called 'mbinga', that point to each other, 2 x 2 for a total of four. Duiker horns held magical substances prepared by diviners to protect and insure fortune. Similar styled carvings are found on royal thrones / figures.

 

Above - a Luvale chimbuya axe, which dates to the time of their expansion into present day Zambia. There the Lwena became known as Luvale, so named after palm trees that highlight the vast plains they chose to live in. Chief Ngongola (above right) lived between the west bank of the Zambezi river and the border of present day Angola. His example was collected in the early 1990's and subsequently sold.

 

 

 

The Luvale chimbuya axe above was collected at Chinyama Litapi, located south west of Chief Ngongola's area. Both sides of this axe are adorned with a 'dash' of music or sound. This is because the Luvale are a people with a delicate art. The symbolic language of the upper left photo represents a chief's double sided 'mukupelo' drum, while the other side exhibits two ying-yang type eyes. The eyes are in fact two separate motifs  used when depicting the sound of a thumb piano, or 'lekembe', to an object.

 

There is little doubt that this chimbuya was a royal object. Chinyama Litapi had historically been the seat of power where the Luvale paramount chief Ndungu reigned. In the mid 20th century, the British colonial government moved their capital directly east to the Zambezi river. The new residence was called 'Mize', conveniently situated directly across the river to a colonial outpost known today as 'Zambezi'. As with chief Ngongola's axe, this was also collected and sold.

 

 

 

Iron for blades was forged exclusively by men. Ironsmiths worked communally in twos and threes and were highly ranked. An unusual display of man power is exhibited above.

 

 

 

 

As mentioned, the blade of this Chokwe / Lwena / Luvale chimbuya axe was made of forged iron. Many collections exhibit those made of reprocessed or recycled metal. Forged iron was extracted by using a traditional kiln. Enjoy the following examples of the documented female form known as 'lutengo'. 

 

 

 

Drawings and photographs obtained from Jose Redinha's book 'Campanha Etnografica ao Tchiboko', as well some from the Dundo Museum archives, depict kilns -  'Soufflets de Forge' - in female form. Breasts, navel and large vaginal openings deliver the symbolic message of  birth: birth of  a court object; birth of a currency; birth of arrows, spears, blades axes and so on.

 

 

 

Chokwe Man with filed 'chimbuya' teeth.  -  Photograph: Gallery Ezakwantu 1992

 

Cool people!

 

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