Prestige / Throwing knife (Mbérembéré)

This knife from the border region of Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon is based on the shape of throwing knives widely used across central Africa, but the knife is heavy and has dull edges that make it hard to throw.  Knives like this one are primarily an accessory for Marghi-speaking men, although they can also be used for personal protection. All adults may use knives like this one as an ornament while dancing, regardless of their gender. During marriage ceremonies, the crossbar would often be symbolically cut down to reflect a man's new status as a husband.  

The style of this knife, with its distinctive cock’s comb shape at the top, is called a mbérembéré in Marghi. It was also used by the Mafa (formerly called the Matakam), Mofu, Zulgo, Guduf, and Lamang, where it was also known as ngörpa, ngarpa, and metelembez.