Kuba Currency
From Zaire
$750
Early in the seventeenth century, the Kuba king, Shyaam Ambul Angoong, forbade the use of the shango, a deadly throwing knife with sharp forked branches.  To promote peace in his region he introduced a shorter knife to replace it.  This striking piece with its wood and copper wound handle, most likely represents one of these short knives, called an ikul.  
This ikul was not used as a knife however, but as a peaceful ceremonial sign of status.

<br />Kuba Currency<br />From Zaire<br />$750 <br />Early in the seventeenth century, the Kuba king, Shyaam Ambul Angoong, forbade the use of the <em>shango</em>, a deadly throwing knife with sharp forked branches.  To promote peace in his region he introduced a shorter knife to replace it.  This striking piece with its wood and copper wound handle, most likely represents one of these short knives, called an <em>ikul.</em>   <br />This <em>ikul</em> was not used as a knife however, but as a peaceful ceremonial sign of status.