WOYO, Loango region, Democratic Republic of Congo. A symbol of strength and among the Woyo, this sword-shaped badge of power, 'Cimpaba or Tshimphaaba "This sword-shaped badge of power was used by the Woyo as "proof of belonging" to King Mangoyo, when his emissary Bimpala represented him. The handle ends in a zoomorphic head and the blade is decorated with ideograms identifying the lineage to which it belongs. L. 53 cm. Literature : -Joseph Balu Balila, L'investiture des chefs spirituels Woyo, 1998, 81 p. -Joseph-Aurélien Cornet, Pictographies Woyo, PORO, Associazione degli Amici dell'Arte Extraeuropea, Milan, 1980, 141 p.