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15th September 2010, 03:48 PM
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#1 |
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: between work and sleep
Posts: 731
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Uneducated guess... samburu?
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18th September 2010, 12:24 PM
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#2 | |
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 334
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Quote:
BTW, Cold Steel firm makes a nice modern replica Last edited by David; 18th September 2010 at 06:58 PM. Reason: No commercial links please! |
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18th September 2010, 05:38 PM
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#3 |
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 2,658
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Although these spears could be Samburu, I still believe Turkana is more likely (the similarity is due to the fact these are neighbouring tribes, as they are also with the Masai) It is the blade cover that convinces me of that
Below are two links.....hover your cursor over the picture to magnify......notice the blade cover http://anthro.amnh.org/anthropology/...F%208245%20ABC http://anthro.amnh.org/anthropology/...F%208248%20ABC The Samburu version tends to have a narrower blade.... http://anthro.amnh.org/anthropology/...F%206180%20ABC Regards David |
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18th September 2010, 05:59 PM
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#4 |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,925
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Just a simple thing really, but I like these hammer marks. Clearly intentional and how they like subtle decoration that fits the form so well.
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18th September 2010, 06:49 PM
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#5 | |
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: between work and sleep
Posts: 731
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Quote:
Thanks for the info... I was hoping I'd be close... my knowledge of African weaponry is lacking. Guess I can't be blamed for mixing up Masai, Turkana, and Samburur spears as an amateur... |
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18th September 2010, 07:52 PM
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#6 |
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(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: OKLAHOMA, USA
Posts: 3,138
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THIS IS THE SPEAR I SAW MOST COMMONLY CARRIED BY THE MASAI IN TANZANIA. THE LION SPEAR IS NOT COMMONLY CARRIED AND IS MORE EXPENSIVE SO THIS IS THE ONE MOST COMMONLY FOUND AMONG THE MASAI. THE LEATHER COVER IS ALSO TYPICAL OF THE ONES CARRIED BY THE MASAI THERE , MY EXAMPLES ARE THE SAME BUT HAVE A LITTLE BEAD DECORATION. THE BEADS MAY HAVE BEEN PUT THERE TO MAKE THEM MORE ATTRACTIVE TO TOURISTS OR JUST LOCAL DECORATION EITHER WAY THE ONES SOLD TO TOURISTS WERE THE SAME QUALITY AS THOSE ACTUALLY IN USE. THERE ARE LIKELY MANY TRIBES WHO CARRY SIMULAR SPEARS SO MOST LIKELY ALL IDENTIFICATIONS SO FAR HAVE BEEN ACCURATE. THE ONLY WAY TO BE SURE WHICH TRIBE WOULD BE ,BUYING IT ON SITE YOURSELF OR HAVING GOOD ACCURATE PROVENANCE. LOOKS TO BE A NICE OLDER EXAMPLE CONGRADULATIONS.
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19th September 2010, 08:48 AM
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#7 |
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 228
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Hi Vandoo
My knowledge on this area is also hardly comprehensive, but I think Turkano may be right. The 'scabbard' is exactly like those found on Turkano wrist knives. It is made of cowhide, is it? Having said that, I used to see this spear and the 'lionkiller' spear frequently in Johannesburg flea markets, identified as 'masai'. However, I never once saw them with the thong scabbard. |
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18th May 2011, 05:16 PM
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#8 |
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 2,658
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Just to add to this thread. I recently acquired a similar spear that originated from Kenya. The seller, had lived in Kenya for some years (during the '60's) and had actually been hunting (spears) with some of the local tribes. It seems that many tribes in the area obtain weapons from several 'blacksmiths' scattered in the region, so ID'ing spears to a specific tribe is impossible.
This probably helps to explain why these and the 'lion' spears are common to the area.....rather than a specific tribe. The 'slight' differences between 'identical' spears being the blacksmith's manufacturing rather than tribal variation. Regards David |
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