Songye ceremonial axes known as “Kilonda”.

Songye ceremonial axes known as “Kilonda”. 

Among the Songye and some of their neighbors inhabiting the central regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, elaborate ceremonial axes known as Kilonda were used as insignia of high office, and even as a form of currency. Using both hot and cold forging techniques, Songye blacksmiths forged these prestige axes with intricate openwork designs, often depicting human faces and twisted columns, though a variety of different designs existed. They usually had wooden handles covered in copper, brass or tooled leather.