Katanga, African tribal axe earrings in brass

These brass earrings are inspired by a ceremonial axe from the Songye people, an ethnic group native to the Katanga region in the southeast of what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. During our research, driven by a deep curiosity for the cultural history of humankind, we came across a photograph of this ritual weapon—almost by chance. Captivated by its distinctive shape, we decided to reinterpret its design in earring form, as a tribute to the originality and ancestral craftsmanship of this Central African culture. You can see an image of the original axe in the last photo of our gallery.

Among the many peoples of the Congo, the Songye are especially renowned for their rich metalwork traditions. Their objects made of iron and copper reflect remarkable aesthetic ingenuity. Some of their ritual axes, spears, or knives seem as if they were taken straight from a science fiction universe, with their bold, geometric, and otherworldly forms.

Katanga is a region rich in mineral resources, particularly copper, which enabled Songye artisans to develop exceptional metalworking skills. These axes were not always used in combat; more often, they held symbolic or ritual significance and were used in ceremonies or as emblems of power and status.

The earrings we’ve created are directly inspired by the design of one of these ceremonial axes. They take on a triangular shape, with one side replaced by a curved arc that evokes the weapon’s blade. The base is hollowed out with an inverted triangle pointing toward the handle, emphasizing the piece’s graphic structure. A finely engraved decorative frieze runs along the arc of the half-circle, echoing the geometric patterns often found in traditional African art. The result is a contemporary piece that remains deeply rooted in cultural memory.

Material: brass

Finish: polished, shiny

Length: 6.5 cm

Axe dimensions: 4.6 × 4.8 cm

As we currently dwell in Mexico, provide a period of 3 to 6 weeks to receive your order for free with normal post service. Thank you for taking this information into account before ordering in our shop. At checkout, you will also have the option of choosing an express shipping. (please, read the complete conditions of shipping here).

You have a question? Contact us.

I hope you will love this jewel as much as I enjoyed creating it.

By Emmanuelle Guyon.

Tags : axe, tribal, ethnic, Africa, African, ceremony, Katanga, Songye, Congo, weapon, Congolese, ritual, ceremonial

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