Unusual Masai/Maasai? Spear

colin henshaw · 3rd February 2014, 06:26 PM

There are a few of these around - usually the metal parts quite crudely made, sometimes with bits of leopard fur round the shaft, plus coloured leatherwork. I think they were mainly made for sale to Europeans, perhaps early-mid 20th century ? I've heard it said they emanated from the Sierra Leone area ??

But the head on this example looks as if it comes from a recent Masai spear from East Africa, and does not belong.

Regards.

Norman McCormick · 3rd February 2014, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

There are a few of these around - usually the metal parts quite crudely made, sometimes with bits of leopard fur round the shaft, plus coloured leatherwork. I think they were mainly made for sale to Europeans, perhaps early-mid 20th century ? I've heard it said they emanated from the Sierra Leone area ??

But the head on this example looks as if it comes from a recent Masai spear from East Africa, and does not belong.

Regards.

Hi Colin,
No surprises, the 'Somali' spear was the one I went for and this was with it. Many thanks for the info.
My Regards,
Norman.

Hi Vandoo,
Looks like we may have our answer

.
My Regards.
Norman.

VANDOO · 3rd February 2014, 08:19 PM

YES IT LOOKS LIKE THE ANSWER IS SIERRA LEONE. MY SPEAR SHAFT IS LIKE YOURS AND THE STEEL POINT IS CRUDELY MADE ON MINE IT WOULD MAKE A BETTER WALL HANGER OR DANCE SPEAR THAN ONE FOR WAR OR HUNTING. I COULD FIND NO PICTURES OF SUCH A SPEAR LOOKING THRU PHOTOS BUT DID FIND THAT MASAI WERE PRESENT IN SIERRA LEONE THOUGH NOT IN LARGE NUMBERS. THE PRIMARY TRIBES BEING THE TEMNE AND MENDE I KNOW LITTLE OF THESE TRIBES SO PERHAPS THE LEATHER WORK AND USE OF HIDES TO COVER SPEAR SHAFTS IS PREVELENT AMONG THESE TRIBES.?
THE POINT ON YOUR SPEAR MAY NOT BE SO BAD HAS IT BEEN SHARPENED IF SO IT MAY HAVE SEEN USE. IF SO IT MAY BE THE GUINUINE NATIVE MADE OLD IRON MASSAI POINT OLD LOCAL MADE ONES WERE OFTEN IRON AND WILL BEND AND STRAIGHTEN. THE BUTT SPIKE IS GOOD QUALITY AND YOU MAY GET AN I.D. ON IT. IT APPEARS TO BE A COMPOSITE WITH VARYING QUALITY TO ITS PARTS.
THIS OLD 1909 POSTCARD IS ALL I HAVE FOUND TO PLACE THE MASAI IN SIERRA LEONE HOW ACCURATE IT IS I HAVE NO IDEA AS I THOUGHT THEY WERE MAINLY IN KENYA AND TANZINEA.

3rd February 2014, 08:19 PM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	YES IT LOOKS LIKE THE ANSWER IS SIERRA LEONE. MY SPEAR SHAFT IS LIKE YOURS AND THE STEEL POINT IS CRUDELY MADE ON MINE IT WOULD MAKE A BETTER WALL HANGER OR DANCE SPEAR THAN ONE FOR WAR OR HUNTING. I COULD FIND NO PICTURES OF SUCH A SPEAR LOOKING THRU PHOTOS BUT DID FIND THAT MASAI WERE PRESENT IN SIERRA LEONE THOUGH NOT IN LARGE NUMBERS. THE PRIMARY TRIBES BEING THE TEMNE AND MENDE I KNOW LITTLE OF THESE TRIBES SO PERHAPS THE LEATHER WORK AND USE OF HIDES TO COVER SPEAR SHAFTS IS PREVELENT AMONG THESE TRIBES.? THE POINT ON YOUR SPEAR MAY NOT BE SO BAD HAS IT BEEN SHARPENED IF SO IT MAY HAVE SEEN USE. IF SO IT MAY BE THE GUINUINE NATIVE MADE OLD IRON MASSAI POINT OLD LOCAL MADE ONES WERE OFTEN IRON AND WILL BEND AND STRAIGHTEN. THE BUTT SPIKE IS GOOD QUALITY AND YOU MAY GET AN I.D. ON IT. IT APPEARS TO BE A COMPOSITE WITH VARYING QUALITY TO ITS PARTS. THIS OLD 1909 POSTCARD IS ALL I HAVE FOUND TO PLACE THE MASAI IN SIERRA LEONE HOW ACCURATE IT IS I HAVE NO IDEA AS I THOUGHT THEY WERE MAINLY IN KENYA AND TANZINEA. Attached Images Last edited by VANDOO; 4th February 2014 at 04:06 AM.

3rd February 2014, 06:26 PM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	There are a few of these around - usually the metal parts quite crudely made, sometimes with bits of leopard fur round the shaft, plus coloured leatherwork. I think they were mainly made for sale to Europeans, perhaps early-mid 20th century ? I've heard it said they emanated from the Sierra Leone area ?? But the head on this example looks as if it comes from a recent Masai spear from East Africa, and does not belong. Regards.