[RomaRana]

Firstly, it is incorrect to think of East African spears in terms of set tribal groups. Cultural “borrowing” and “acquisition” is a very strong sociological force in the region. Spear morphology varies greatly and is ethnically fluid in both space and time (Larick, 299).

I suggest you read Warriors and Blacksmiths: Mediating Ehnicity in East African Spears by Roy Larick if you are more interested in this topic. As look into

Sears, Style, and Time among Maa speaking pastoralists
Roy Larick

Maasai and Kikuyu: An Historical Analysis of Culture Transmission
William L Lawren

Modern Spear Typology

Spear types are named after groups that are traditionally responsible for their use but a great deal of borrowing occurs with every single type. In many tribal groups, every fifteen years or so is marked by a coming of age ceremony. These groups are known as an age set. They often seek to distinguish themselves in many ways. One of these methods is by choosing a distinctive spear type.

Spears in the region are therefore known by the tribal names that originated the style. Therefore, Maasai elders frequently use heavy Turkana spears or whatever their age set has decided on.

Also, you cannot think of the Maasai in terms of a single group. They are broken into about 15 semi-nomadic clans that are dispersed throughout the region. Furthermore some of those groups have not adhered to the blacksmithing taboos since the 1890’s rinderpest epizootic. Some Maasi groups have worked metal since the 1830's and the Iloikop wars.

It is very hard to explain this without going into a twenty page dissertation. Also, in regards to your question about hunting: historical events weigh very heavily on what spears are popular in a given era. After the British withdrew from East Africa there was an ivory poaching epidemic, which led to a revival of the heavy throwing javelin. Many age sets adopted this weapon as a way of earning a living.

Spear and Sword Convergence

The development of the sword-like Maasai stabbing spear speaks to this principle. Louis Leaky, the famed archeologist, believed that the spear was unknown in the Bantu tradition. The sword was the primary Bantu (mainly kikuyu) arm. Conversely, the Nilo-Hametic Maasai who were driven into the region by a major Diaspora, had no knowledge of the sword but introduced spear warfare into the region.

At the time most of the Nilotic groups had many taboos regarding blacksmithing. The warlike Maasai who were now far from their ancestral homes needed to replenish their martial stocks. They turned to the Bantu for the manufacture of these weapons. The Bantu had no knowledge of spear manufacturing techniques. The result was a hybrid, a sword shaped head mounted atop a wooden haft. Eventually, the Natives adopted the spear, while the newcomers adopted the sword.

With time, the sword and spear became more and more similar. Older pre 1900 spears were much more flaring at their bases, almost shovel like. I have many old prints depicting these. They are unmistakable when compared to newer spears.

The spears you own are all of East African varieties. They probably range in age anywhere from the early 1900’s to recent manufacture.