Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons
FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 18th February 2016, 08:33 PM   #1
nKante
Member
 
nKante's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Philly
Posts: 72
Default Maassai Shield

I came across this short film about creating a traditional Maassai shield called Blood and Leather. I thought the folks here would appreciate. There is some good information in the film, article and gallery of photos.
https://vimeo.com/70522431
http://www.conserventures.org/news/
http://www.conserventures.org/galler...ai-war-shield/
nKante is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18th February 2016, 09:46 PM   #2
VANDOO
(deceased)
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: OKLAHOMA, USA
Posts: 3,138
Thumbs up

THANK'S A INTERESTING AND WELL DONE PRESENTATION ON THE MASAI SHIELD. I SAW SOME OF THE YOUNG MEN COVERED IN WHITE ASH CARRYING SHIELDS FOR SOME INITIATION INTO WARRIOR OR MANHOOD WHILE IN TANZANIA BUT NO ADULT WARRIORS WITH A SHIELD. THE NEW SHIELDS WERE NOT AS WELL MADE AS THE GOOD OLDER ONES AND WERE MORE FLAT AND NOT AS WELL PAINTED.
HERE ARE TWO EXAMPLES THAT SHOW WHAT I REFER TO. THE FIRST IS THE MORE MODERN FLAT LOOSELY FORMED WITH THE HAIR STILL ON THE HIDE ON THE INSIDE. THE CENTER HANDLE STICK IS NOT AS LARGE AS THOSE SHOWN IN THE VIDEO. THE PAINT FLAKES AND I SUSPECT THIS WAS MADE FOR THE INITIATION CEREMONY OF YOUNG WARRIORS CIRCA EARLY 1900'S. 33 INCH TALL X 21.5 IN WIDE. THE OLD ONES I HAVE SEEN WERE LARGER, HAD MUCH BETTER PAINT AND WERE DOMED AND DEEP SORT OF LIKE A BOAT. I SAW NO HAIR INSIDE OR OUT AND THEY WERE HARD , RIGID AND WELL SHAPED. CONSIDERING THE YOUNG WARRIOR WAS EXPECTED TO FACE A LIONS CHARGE WITH HIS SPEAR AND SHIELD HE CERTAINLY NEEDED A LARGE STOUT SHIELD TO KEEP SOME SPACE BETWEEN HIM AND THE LION. I HAVE INCLUDED TWO PICTURES OF A SMALL TOURIST ITEM THAT IS CLOSER TO THE WORKMANSHIP ON THE OLD SHIELDS EXCEPT MUCH SMALLER AND NEWER. PIC.#1 & #2. MY YOUNG WARRIORS SHIELD
#3. & #4. SMALL SOUVENIR SHIELD.
#5. MASAI SHIELD 44 X 32 IN.
#6. & #7. 90 CM. MASSAI SHIELD
#8. MASAI WARRIORS
#9. MASAI WARRIORS
#10, #11. & #12. OLD MASAI 36 X 27 IN.
Attached Images
            

Last edited by VANDOO; 19th February 2016 at 12:55 AM.
VANDOO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th February 2016, 02:25 AM   #3
VANDOO
(deceased)
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: OKLAHOMA, USA
Posts: 3,138
Smile

PIC. #1. & #2. ANOTHER MASAI SHIELD FRONT AND BACK, 30 X 16.5 INCH
#3. FANCIFUL DRAWING OF A MASAI WARRIOR
Attached Images
   
VANDOO is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:24 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.