Leather Sheath Sword

fearn · 8th April 2005, 03:20 AM

It's a seme from the Masai (or a nearby tribe) of East Africa. It's probably relatively old--it looks like it has a midrib and a diamond cross-section which (I believe) is an older feature. The newer ones are basically flat, built like machetes. I don't recall the date when the switch-over happened, but by old, I mean that it's likely mid 20th Century, at a guess.

Neat blade--and I'm sure the next poster on this list will have a better guess on its age.

Fearn

tom hyle · 8th April 2005, 04:30 AM

Ditto. This type of sword, shaped like a certain type of spear blade usually called a lion spear in N America, but AFAIK actually associated with a certain rank in the militia, is used by the pastorial massai for trimming vegitation, as well as for violence/defence and butchery. The Massai are said to not work iron, but to buy it all from farming neighbor tribes and itinerate smiths. The Watutsi swords I've seen certainly seem pretty much identical, and I even see this sword falling into the same broad category/tradition as ilwoon, etc. (mine, at least, is notably flatter and thinner, though maintaining its midrib, in the last particularly broad 1/4 at the tip). The traditional red dye is (AFAIK) a Massai thing, and it sure does show the wear; I've seen ones with no dye; perhaps it was no dye left; the 1/2 denuded rawhide is interesting to see, anyway. Does the metal binder at the sheath tip happen to be a bent up coin with a hole punched thru its center?

drzzzzz · 8th April 2005, 04:51 AM

Hello, yes it does have metal binder at the sheath tip which appears to be a bent up coin with a hole punched thru its center. Really appreciate the info.

8th April 2005, 03:20 AM	#1
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	It's a seme from the Masai (or a nearby tribe) of East Africa. It's probably relatively old--it looks like it has a midrib and a diamond cross-section which (I believe) is an older feature. The newer ones are basically flat, built like machetes. I don't recall the date when the switch-over happened, but by old, I mean that it's likely mid 20th Century, at a guess. Neat blade--and I'm sure the next poster on this list will have a better guess on its age. Fearn

8th April 2005, 04:30 AM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Ditto. This type of sword, shaped like a certain type of spear blade usually called a lion spear in N America, but AFAIK actually associated with a certain rank in the militia, is used by the pastorial massai for trimming vegitation, as well as for violence/defence and butchery. The Massai are said to not work iron, but to buy it all from farming neighbor tribes and itinerate smiths. The Watutsi swords I've seen certainly seem pretty much identical, and I even see this sword falling into the same broad category/tradition as ilwoon, etc. (mine, at least, is notably flatter and thinner, though maintaining its midrib, in the last particularly broad 1/4 at the tip). The traditional red dye is (AFAIK) a Massai thing, and it sure does show the wear; I've seen ones with no dye; perhaps it was no dye left; the 1/2 denuded rawhide is interesting to see, anyway. Does the metal binder at the sheath tip happen to be a bent up coin with a hole punched thru its center?

8th April 2005, 04:51 AM	#3
drzzzzz Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 9	Hello, yes it does have metal binder at the sheath tip which appears to be a bent up coin with a hole punched thru its center. Really appreciate the info.