West African ammunition belt, or Ntoa, c.1873 (leather)

Formed from a section of hide which folds at the bottom to form the underside, with eight charge pouches (Totoa); a covering flap is tied with rawhide thongs and decorated with brown stained shells; the right hand side of the belt is attached to five sheaths, the outside and the central ones are decorated with brown stained shells; two sheaths contain wooden spatular knives with metal bound handles; the left hand side of the belt carries a powder horn (a dried calabash wrapped in hide) and bullet box which also has a pair of ornately engraved knives stitched on to it. Owned by Prince Bonny, commander of the Ashanti troops during the 2nd Ashanti War; acquired by Col Sir Evelyn Wood. The small set of knives were used to pierce through the cheeks of prisoners meant for execution. This was to stop the prisoner from invoking a curse or reciting words that would, by Asante beliefs, set him free from captivity.