East African spear?

RomaRana · 7th August 2007, 10:37 PM

That my friend is a very rare pre 1890 southern Maasai spear. Probably from the Kisongo, Purko, or Damat Maasai.

I'm at my other home and without my books but I will scan some pictures when I get back.

Cultural transmission was not as strong yet in the region as the Maasai were still asserting their dominance (1750-1830s) and this style of spear was used almost entirely by them, with exception of perhaps the kikuyu and chagga.

spiral · 8th August 2007, 12:46 AM

Fantastic looking spear Tim! What are the blade dimesions ?

Spiral

Tim Simmons · 8th August 2007, 07:59 AM

The spear is 1.76m long, the blade including the socket is 92cm. The actual blade is 78cm long and 12cm at the widest part. The midrib is <> section is 15mm at the forte running to 10mm at the tip. The spike end is 31cm long including the socket, the actual spike is 21cm long square section starting at 15mm. I like the elegant and effective "engineer" solution to fixing the spike. It is quite awesome to play with.

You can also see the folding of the steel. Not just beaten out of a bar. I wonder if I sould etch it?

Flavio · 8th August 2007, 12:28 PM

Hi all! Are we sure that this is from Est Africa? The blade reminds me some congolese blades and also the pin through the blade socket it's all but not unusual also in Congo

..... maybe I'm wrong but ....

Tim Simmons · 8th August 2007, 04:43 PM

Good thinking Flavio. Those thoughts did cross my mind. However I am more inclined to stick with a more eastern origin. The reasons are that it has more in common in so many ways to the other East African spears I have than the Congo ones; besides- Freddy and the other Congoists did not raise the alarm. I would be highly delighted if I were shown otherwise

.

RomaRana · 9th August 2007, 03:36 PM

I just found these. It is a picture of the Northern Maasai spear type. When I get home I will post the southern type.

Tim Simmons · 9th August 2007, 08:03 PM

I am a little cautious about some of these old drawings and indeed types of photo-reproduction as I have some publications where it seems clear there is some tampering.

8th August 2007, 07:59 AM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	The spear is 1.76m long, the blade including the socket is 92cm. The actual blade is 78cm long and 12cm at the widest part. The midrib is <> section is 15mm at the forte running to 10mm at the tip. The spike end is 31cm long including the socket, the actual spike is 21cm long square section starting at 15mm. I like the elegant and effective "engineer" solution to fixing the spike. It is quite awesome to play with. You can also see the folding of the steel. Not just beaten out of a bar. I wonder if I sould etch it? Last edited by Tim Simmons; 8th August 2007 at 08:18 AM.

9th August 2007, 03:36 PM	#6
RomaRana Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 58	I just found these. It is a picture of the Northern Maasai spear type. When I get home I will post the southern type. Attached Images

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7th August 2007, 10:37 PM	#1
RomaRana Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 58	That my friend is a very rare pre 1890 southern Maasai spear. Probably from the Kisongo, Purko, or Damat Maasai. I'm at my other home and without my books but I will scan some pictures when I get back. Cultural transmission was not as strong yet in the region as the Maasai were still asserting their dominance (1750-1830s) and this style of spear was used almost entirely by them, with exception of perhaps the kikuyu and chagga.

8th August 2007, 12:46 AM	#2
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Fantastic looking spear Tim! What are the blade dimesions ? Spiral

8th August 2007, 12:28 PM	#4
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hi all! Are we sure that this is from Est Africa? The blade reminds me some congolese blades and also the pin through the blade socket it's all but not unusual also in Congo ..... maybe I'm wrong but ....

8th August 2007, 04:43 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Good thinking Flavio. Those thoughts did cross my mind. However I am more inclined to stick with a more eastern origin. The reasons are that it has more in common in so many ways to the other East African spears I have than the Congo ones; besides- Freddy and the other Congoists did not raise the alarm. I would be highly delighted if I were shown otherwise .

9th August 2007, 08:03 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	I am a little cautious about some of these old drawings and indeed types of photo-reproduction as I have some publications where it seems clear there is some tampering.