Boa-African Sword – Hand-Forged Central African Leaf Blade of the Boa People

Boa-African Sword — A Hand-Forged Central African Leaf Blade of the Boa People

This sword is the Boa-African Sword — a hand-forged Central African leaf-shaped sword of the Boa people, distinguished by the open-slot fenestration in its upper blade near the hilt and its whitewood handle with brass pommel cap. The Boa people of what is today the northern Democratic Republic of Congo produced a distinctive family of leaf-shaped swords as part of the broader Central African blade tradition. The Boa-African is the Everest Forge interpretation of the Boa-people pattern specifically — visually distinct from the related Boa Zande Warrior Sword, which represents the Azande warrior tradition of the same region. Built by Everest Forge for collectors of Central African material culture.

Each blade is hand forged in Kathmandu, Nepal from 5160 high carbon spring steel — specifically reclaimed truck leaf spring — oil-tempered to working hardness, with a full tang. The standard configuration is a 22-inch leaf-shaped blade with a 6.5-inch whitewood grip topped with a brass pommel cap, and a hand-stitched tan leather scabbard with red leather throat panel, black leather baldric, and brass rivet fittings. Blade length is customisable from 18 to 36 inches before forging.

The Boa-African Sword — A Brief History

The Boa people are an ethnic group of northern Democratic Republic of Congo, part of the broader Bantu-speaking populations of the Congo basin. Their sword tradition — alongside that of the closely related Azande to the north — produced some of the most distinctive leaf-shaped blade forms in Central African material culture. The leaf-shaped silhouette, with its broad cutting belly tapering to a long thrusting point, was the iconic form across centuries of regional production, forged from locally smelted iron in the deep tradition of Iron Age African metallurgy that flourished long before European contact.

The Boa-African pattern is distinguished within this broader regional tradition by the open-slot fenestration in the upper blade near the hilt — a structural and decorative feature that lightens the blade and gives the Boa-African its instantly recognisable visual identity. Like the related Boa Zande, the Boa-African sword carried weight beyond its function as a weapon: it served as a marker of standing and a prestige object exchanged between communities. The colourful leather scabbard work — including the geometric and colour-block design with the red throat panel — is part of the regional design vocabulary that shaped the broader Boa material culture.

Why This Boa-African Sword Stands Apart

Specifications

Customise Your Boa-African Sword

Most details on this Boa-African Sword can be specified to your preference before forging begins. Use the options on this page to build your blade, or contact us for anything outside the standard list.

Build My Boa-African →

Hand-Forged, Not a Wall-Hanger

The Complete Central African Sword Collection

Who This Boa-African Sword Is For

• Central African arms collectors — buyers building a Congo-basin or wider Central-African arms collection, looking for the Boa-people leaf-shaped pattern in real hand-forged steel.
• Boa Zande and Ngulu collectors — those already collecting in the same family who want the companion Boa-African piece to round out the Central African leaf-blade range.
• African material culture collectors — those drawn to the smithing and ceremonial traditions of the Boa, Azande, Ngombe and neighbouring Central African peoples.
• Iron Age weapons enthusiasts — collectors interested in early-period and pre-industrial smithing traditions, of which the Boa-African is a particularly visually distinctive example thanks to the fenestrated blade.
• Display pieces and gift buyers — the open-slot blade and the colour-block leather scabbard combine to make the Boa-African one of the most photogenic display pieces in the African collection. Optional engraving makes it a serious gift.
• Film, theatre and production — full-weight authentic steel for historical productions and African-set period work where a visually distinctive blade is essential.

How It Is Made

What Is Included

• One hand-forged Boa-African Sword in 5160 spring steel
• Whitewood (or rosewood / horn) handle with brass pommel cap (fitted)
• Hand-stitched tan leather scabbard with red leather throat panel
• Black leather baldric with brass rivets, included
• Personalised engraving where requested
• Care guidance for the blade, handle, brass and leather

Shipping, Returns and Warranty

Every Boa-African ships from Kathmandu, Nepal via DHL Express or FedEx International on a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) basis — duties and taxes are handled so there is nothing to pay on arrival. Typical delivery is 8 to 15 business days from order, including forging and processing time. Some countries restrict the import of swords above certain lengths; it is the buyer's responsibility to check local law before ordering.

Standard Boa-African Swords carry a 30-day satisfaction guarantee in unused condition and a 6-month warranty against manufacturing defects. Custom and personalised pieces are forged to your specification and are non-returnable. Full details are on our Shipping and Returns and Warranty and Returns Policy pages.

Caring for Your Boa-African Sword

Wipe the blade clean after handling and apply a light film of mineral or blade oil to protect the high carbon steel from moisture. Pay particular attention to the inside edges of the open-slot fenestration, since this area can collect dust and humidity if not wiped down. The brass pommel cap will develop a patina over time — wipe it clean with a soft cloth, and polish lightly with a brass polish only if you prefer the bright finish. Treat the leather scabbard, throat panel and baldric occasionally with a leather conditioner to preserve their colour and the brass rivet finish. Store the blade out of the scabbard in dry conditions for long-term keeping.

Frequently Asked Questions