Introductory post: I know nothing, pleas help!

[cutting_edge]

Hello Vandoo,
I looked up the thread, thank you.
Indeed, the shield is positively minute compared to the ones that could and would have been used, and it lacks weight and also the edges are not finished, but only roughly cut.
So are you saying that ceremonial and ritual weaponry can often be smaller and less elaborate?
Best regards,
Alexandra

Originally Posted by VANDOO

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=initiation

WELCOME TO THE FORUM THE SHIELD YOU HAVE MAY BE ONE MADE FOR USE TODAY IN THE INITIATION CEREMONIES FOR YOUNG MASAI WHEN THEY OFFICIALLY BECOME MEN AND WARRIORS. IT COULD ALSO BE A TOURIST ITEM THOUGH THOSE ARE USUALLY SMALL AND MADE OF THE HIDE OF SOMETHING OTHER THAN CATTLE.
ABOVE IS A OLD POST WITH SOME INFORMATION, MORE SEARCHES FOR MASAI WILL BRING UP MORE INFORMATION.
THE METAL BACK SPIKE IS MISSING FROM YOUR SPEAR WHICH IS A MODERN FORM OF THE OLD LION SPEAR. LION SPEARS ARE NOT USED TODAY EXCEPT FOR CEREMONIE AND SUCH. THE MASAI NO LONGER REQUIRE THE SPEARING OF A LION TO BECOME A WARRIOR THESE DAYS. SEE SOME OF THE OLD PICTURES OF THE EXTRA LONG LION SPEAR POINTS AND THE HEADPIECE MADE FROM THE MANE OF THE LION A WARRIOR KILLED.

[VANDOO]

THE INITIAION SHIELDS ARE NOT WELL MADE BECAUSE THEY ARE ONLY USED FOR A SHORT TIME AND DON'T NEED TO OFFER MUCH PROTECTION. THEY ARE GENERALLY FLAT AND SOMEWHAT MIS -SHAPED, THE ONE I HAVE IS 32 INCHES LONG X 22 INCHES WIDE AND FLAT AND NOT VERY WELL PAINTED.
THE TOURIST ONES OFTEN ARE MORE DECORATED AND QUITE A LOT SMALLER MY TWO EXAMPLES ARE 18IN. X 12 IN AND 17 IN. X 9.5 IN.
THE OLD MASAI LION SHIELDS WERE A LOT LARGER AND SHAPED ALMOST LIKE A BOAT WITH WITH A BIT OF DEPTH TO PROTECT THE WARRIOR FROM THE LION. OLD LION SHIELDS WERE VERY WELL SHAPED AND VERY STRONG AND WELL PAINTED.