This is a double-edged knife enclosed in a wooden sheath made of ebony wood, inlaid with copper wire, made by the Rangi tribe of central Tanzania. The handle has an intricate carved design. The craftsman carved the sheath from a piece of black, ebony wood, which is an exceptionally hard and richly dark wood found in the borderland strip along the tropical areas in certain sections of Central Africa. Ebony’s exceptional density makes it both heavy and beautiful in its black, glossy sheen when polished. It also makes a strong club, which the tribal people find very useful as a defense against attackers. The black ebony sheath and handle also has inlaid copper strips. The blade is steel, which today is made from melted-down springs of old cars and forged by the Chaga people. This knife is approx. 20 inches long. |