African Spear

[Araña_del_Sol]

Maasai, Samburu, Karamojong, Turkana, etc. come to mind as possible sources. This spear type is common in East Africa.

- ADS

[Ed]

It "feels good" to me if you know what I mean.

[Pertinax]

Hello Ed

Please show me the back of the spear.

IMHO the Maasai have more primitive production, here is a modern example.

Regards, Yuri

[milandro]

Originally Posted by Araña_del_Sol

Maasai, Samburu, Karamojong, Turkana, etc. come to mind as possible sources. This spear type is common in East Africa.

- ADS

I agree, I know this spear (had some myself) as being a Samburu spear, very common among the tourists in Kenia . They are even reproduced by companies like cold steel , they are nice spears but fairly common.

[Sajen]

I don't know much about spears, especially not about African ones but the one in question shows a very different quality as the other shown ones.
I had some antique Maasai spears, the description of the three segments point to a origin like suggested, but the tip looks different.
Ed, can you show more from the spear? Haft and butt?

Regards,
Detlef

[Ed]

Here are some more pictures. The two sides of the head are virtually the same. Please ask if you need more description.

[Ed]

FWIW I took a look at the Cold Steel version. Not really close. CS is "manufactured". This one is "crafted" if you see what I mean.

[Pertinax]

Ed, I may upset you. This spear is made in Kenya or Tanzania for tourists.

Regards, Yuri

[Sajen]

It's indeed typical for the Maasai and surrounding ethnos but it seems very recently to my eyes. I don't think it's manufactured.

Regards,
Detlef

[Ed]

It seems rather ungainly for a tourist piece.