Leopard Society Dagger

An iron dagger, with one large blade, and two smaller ones on either side. The handle is wrapped in raw hide and twisted fibre. This may be a Leopard Society dagger; similar devices have been thought to have been used by members of the so-called Human Leopards, or Leopard society, as a means of blaming the deaths of their victims on leopards.

Further Information

  • Type: Weapons, armour
  • Object: Leopard Society Dagger
  • Materials: Metal, Vegetable, organic fibre, Leather, animal skin
  • Culture Group: Mende, Sherbro
  • Dimensions: 220mm [L] x 85mm [W] x 30mm [C]
  • Production Date: Pre 1904
  • Associated Places: Unknown
  • Associated People: Thomas Joshua Alldridge (Collector); G. Garrett
  • Museum: British Museum
  • Accession Number: BM:Af.1904.415.16

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