sartorialadventure:

^Examples of elaborate versions of knives, to be used in ritual ceremonies. They’re from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 19th century. Olivia Sun for NPR

^ Rain wands from Nigeria evokes the form of lightning or slithering snakes, both presages of rain to come, says Burns. She says “they were planted in the earth and were intended to draw the life force of the Earth up toward the heavens in order to bring down the rain.” Olivia Sun for NPR

^This double-bladed dagger, with the design on the blade etched with acid, is from late 19th-century Sudan and is made of iron, bone and crocodile skin. Olivia Sun for NPR

(via chickwhodigs)