Maasai Laiyok seme

[RomaRana]

This specimen is an unusual seme due to the blade’s relatively short overall length of 13 1/2". The size suggests that this knife probably belonged to a younger uncircumcised Laiyok (youth) rather than a Moran. There is a photograph on an uncircumcised youth in Broken Spears with a very simmilar mini seme.

The dyed sheath is of the traditional Masai red and measures 9 ¾” long. This scabbard has the attributes of a larger transitional moran Seme with the winged mouth, wider belt loop, and metal disk fastener at the tip as well as Frankenstein stitching on the reverse. The metal disk seems to be glued in place with some sort of sap or wax adhesive.

Fullsize Moran Seme (top)
OAL-20 ¾”
Blade- 15 ¼”
Hilt-5 ¼”
Sheath-18”

Laiyok Seme:
Overall length- 13 ½”
Blade 8 ½”
Hilt- 5”
Sheath 9 ¾”