Nzappa zap

Ceremonial axe, Songe people, Honolulu Museum of Art, 3023

The Nzappa zap (also referred to as zappozap, kasuyu) is a traditional weapon from the Democratic Republic of the Congo similar to an axe or hatchet. It has an ornate wrought-iron blade connected to a club-like wooden handle, often clad in copper, bronze or brass. In practice, it is used much like the American tomahawk, both thrown for short distances and as a melee weapon in hand-to-hand combat. It differs from the usual axe style, in that the blade mounts to looping prongs that affix to the shaft.

See also

• Throwing axe
• Hunga Munga
• Hurlbat
• Tomahawk (axe)