Gong - Iron - Yoruba - DR Congo

This is an African Forged Iron Gong Bell Shaped Currency from the Nkutsu or. Jonga People of the Democratic Republic of the Congo of Africa. These gongs are also found in may other cultures throughout Africa. The Nkutsu and particularly their neighbors the Jonga are well known for their skilled blacksmiths who produced various objects in metal including such gongs made for use by the members of the Nkumi society. The Nkutshu occupy the region between the rivers Kasai, Sankuru and Lomami; the Jonga live by the Tshuapa River one of the tributaries of the greater Congo. Such gongs were used as a symbol of brotherhood. The gong was beaten with a stick covered with rubber at the end. During ceremonies, metal gongs were used to set the rhythm for music, establishes the cadence for rituals, religious ceremonies. Only members of a certain grade had the right to beat such a gong. Such gongs were also used as currency among number of Congolese ethnic groups. The handle was probably bound with raffia or other vegetable fiber. These pieces are becoming rare as a lot of those end up being melted.