Masai Spear for comment and a few questions

katana · 30th April 2010, 05:07 PM

I would be grateful if anyone can post some information regarding the notches/markings on Massai spears, in relation to rank etc. Also, not so noticeable... is a diagonal mark on 2 faces of the square, notched section of the spear butt .....significant ??

Kind Regards David

Tim Simmons · 1st May 2010, 05:09 PM

David here are three of mine with different forged spike parts. I have publications that suggest certain shapes of spear can denote the age status of the warrior, but no real solid comparative evidence or pictures are provided. The different finishes to the spike part might also denote a particular smith or region. I have three others, one with a square section but no indentations. The other two are plain. These spears can be magnificent the biggest blade one the three shown is 103cm long. It is a mystery to me why they do not out class such things as Kaskara with European blades in the market. They are no more common, quite a bit longer.

Tim Simmons · 1st May 2010, 07:05 PM

David taking another look at this spear. Not as impressive as two of the first shown earlier but still just over 6'. It has a similar chevron at the base of the blade and a line around the bottom of the socket. The spike part has a spiral line running down the socket. Sorry the pictures are rather poor but running out of daylight so have all the lights and flash on.

Martin Lubojacky · 2nd May 2010, 06:09 PM

Hi David,
I missed yor message of April 22. I do not know much about Masai spears, but you can find information in "African Arms and Armour" by Christopher Spring. Maybe it could be useful to find out age of the wooden shaft (museoarteescienza.com) ?
Regards,

Martin

Tim Simmons · 3rd May 2010, 05:30 PM

Perhaps the only way to tell if a long spear blade is made from imported rod which would make a good spear. Is to look at the blade closely for signs of folding in more steel/iron, in a way lamination {which turns so many on} really just very skilled forge welding building up the spear blade. That's got to be better than so many swords especially Kaskara.

katana · 4th May 2010, 09:18 PM

Hi Tim and Martin

,
thanks for the replies. Tim you've some very nice examples there

. I agree that the craftsmanship involved in the manufacture of these spearheads rival many a sword blade (albeit an 'untempered' one).

According to Spring, a number of this type of spear are made by Bantu blacksmiths for the Masai....I get the impression that the better quality ones are made by them.
There is information regarding the various warrior groups 'classification' via their shield's markings/colours, and although mentioned, spears are also...but with no descriptions/pictures of the markings.

There is evidence that the original meanings of the various markings is now lost amongst 'modern' Masai .....and that, today , coloured plastic bands are now used.

The suggestion here, is that, marked spear butts are likely older. And if correct, the spear would be more likely to have been used in a Lion hunt. Unexpectedly, I found a reference to the Long bladed Masai spear in Robert Wilkinson-Latham's "Swords"....

".....Spears with long tapering heads similar to a sword blade, short shafts and long ferrule were the weapons of the Masai and seem to be the most effective of spears...."

Kind Regards David

Apparently slavers travelling through Masai territory would trade iron and copper wire, beads etc for 'safe passage'. I have not found any reference to iron rods traded (but would be a better 'raw' material for the blacksmiths).

Tim Simmons · 5th May 2010, 05:48 PM

David what makes you say that spears are untempered?

1st May 2010, 05:09 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	David here are three of mine with different forged spike parts. I have publications that suggest certain shapes of spear can denote the age status of the warrior, but no real solid comparative evidence or pictures are provided. The different finishes to the spike part might also denote a particular smith or region. I have three others, one with a square section but no indentations. The other two are plain. These spears can be magnificent the biggest blade one the three shown is 103cm long. It is a mystery to me why they do not out class such things as Kaskara with European blades in the market. They are no more common, quite a bit longer. Attached Images

1st May 2010, 07:05 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	David taking another look at this spear. Not as impressive as two of the first shown earlier but still just over 6'. It has a similar chevron at the base of the blade and a line around the bottom of the socket. The spike part has a spiral line running down the socket. Sorry the pictures are rather poor but running out of daylight so have all the lights and flash on. Attached Images

30th April 2010, 05:07 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	I would be grateful if anyone can post some information regarding the notches/markings on Massai spears, in relation to rank etc. Also, not so noticeable... is a diagonal mark on 2 faces of the square, notched section of the spear butt .....significant ?? Kind Regards David

2nd May 2010, 06:09 PM	#4
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Hi David, I missed yor message of April 22. I do not know much about Masai spears, but you can find information in "African Arms and Armour" by Christopher Spring. Maybe it could be useful to find out age of the wooden shaft (museoarteescienza.com) ? Regards, Martin

3rd May 2010, 05:30 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Perhaps the only way to tell if a long spear blade is made from imported rod which would make a good spear. Is to look at the blade closely for signs of folding in more steel/iron, in a way lamination {which turns so many on} really just very skilled forge welding building up the spear blade. That's got to be better than so many swords especially Kaskara.

4th May 2010, 09:18 PM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Tim and Martin , thanks for the replies. Tim you've some very nice examples there . I agree that the craftsmanship involved in the manufacture of these spearheads rival many a sword blade (albeit an 'untempered' one). According to Spring, a number of this type of spear are made by Bantu blacksmiths for the Masai....I get the impression that the better quality ones are made by them. There is information regarding the various warrior groups 'classification' via their shield's markings/colours, and although mentioned, spears are also...but with no descriptions/pictures of the markings. There is evidence that the original meanings of the various markings is now lost amongst 'modern' Masai .....and that, today , coloured plastic bands are now used. The suggestion here, is that, marked spear butts are likely older. And if correct, the spear would be more likely to have been used in a Lion hunt. Unexpectedly, I found a reference to the Long bladed Masai spear in Robert Wilkinson-Latham's "Swords".... ".....Spears with long tapering heads similar to a sword blade, short shafts and long ferrule were the weapons of the Masai and seem to be the most effective of spears...." Kind Regards David Apparently slavers travelling through Masai territory would trade iron and copper wire, beads etc for 'safe passage'. I have not found any reference to iron rods traded (but would be a better 'raw' material for the blacksmiths).

5th May 2010, 05:48 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	David what makes you say that spears are untempered?