Welcome, Guest. Please Login
SLINGING.ORG
 
Home Help Search Login


Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print
Maasai Spear Throwing (Read 2937 times)
Kick
past-moderator
****
Offline



Posts: 4451
Finland
Maasai Spear Throwing
May 26th, 2020 at 6:23pm
 
I found this video by chance and it's pretty interesting.

https://youtu.be/tHMM67xEul4

I've seen these large, leaf-shaped spears before but I had never realised that they had a spike on the other end. In throwing the spear, it seems that they use the thin spike.

Ok, so what? Well, I think this style of spear is a work of absolute genius. Having the broad leaf blade would be good for hand to hand, you're able to cut and thrust with it, but for throwing, the wide blade wouldn't get much penetration, hence thin spike (of course, it's a very sharp edge so would do considerable damage but wouldn't penetrate as far as the spike). Here's something I noticed though. Having both options (wide for hand to hand, thin for throwing) is really advantageous, but they also compliment each other. Having the spike, gives the spear a counter balance to make it more lively in the hand to allow you to more quickly and easily make cuts and thrusts, and the wide leaf blade works like flight feathers to stabalise the spear in flight. Genius! Obviously, these spears have been used for countless generations and so are highly refined weapons, but I never realised just how clever a design they are and thought I should share here.

It's mentioned that the thin spike isn't used for hunting and just for sticking in the ground, but then it has, in all of the footage of them throwing, using the spike. This is somewhat confusing because of the advantages listed above and how effective it obviously is this way round, but perhaps there are other reasons not mentioned. Any ideas? Personally I would want to use it as described, a combination weapon that actually works.
Back to top
 

You are a great guy Kick but also slightly scary at times. - Morphy
"Nothing matters, but it’s perhaps more comfortable to keep calm and not interfere with other people." - H.P. Lovecraft, in a letter to Frank Belknap Long, 7 October, 1923
 
IP Logged
 
Tejo
Tiro
**
Offline


Slinging Rocks!

Posts: 44
Chile
Gender: male
Re: Maasai Spear Throwing
Reply #1 - May 26th, 2020 at 7:55pm
 
I don't believe that the nail like tip is just for sticking the spear to the ground, I think it is meant to pierce through flesh.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
ghost0311-8541
Senior Member
****
Offline


Slinging Rocks!

Posts: 392
Florida
Gender: male
Re: Maasai Spear Throwing
Reply #2 - May 26th, 2020 at 10:51pm
 
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
Kick
past-moderator
****
Offline



Posts: 4451
Finland
Re: Maasai Spear Throwing
Reply #3 - May 26th, 2020 at 11:22pm
 
Tejo wrote on May 26th, 2020 at 7:55pm:
I don't believe that the nail like tip is just for sticking the spear to the ground, I think it is meant to pierce through flesh.


Same. Why make it so long and strong just for sticking in the ground? They fly far too well for it to be a coincidence. I'm tempted to try and "make" my own version. I say "make" because really I mean buy a large spearhead and a small one and put them on the same shaft.
Back to top
 

You are a great guy Kick but also slightly scary at times. - Morphy
"Nothing matters, but it’s perhaps more comfortable to keep calm and not interfere with other people." - H.P. Lovecraft, in a letter to Frank Belknap Long, 7 October, 1923
 
IP Logged
 
ghost0311-8541
Senior Member
****
Offline


Slinging Rocks!

Posts: 392
Florida
Gender: male
Re: Maasai Spear Throwing
Reply #4 - May 27th, 2020 at 7:31am
 
The end with out the spear head was used for practice and it's longer to help balance the spear just like that sambura spear I believe the practice end is called the shoe end.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
Morphy
Slinging.org Moderator
*****
Offline


Checkmate

Posts: 8102
Re: Maasai Spear Throwing
Reply #5 - May 27th, 2020 at 9:14am
 
Good video but let’s get down to business here, where do you buy one?? Lol. I would love to have a Bassa made bow and a Massai spear.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
Kick
past-moderator
****
Offline



Posts: 4451
Finland
Re: Maasai Spear Throwing
Reply #6 - May 27th, 2020 at 1:53pm
 
I saw on YouTube an advert for a Massai spear being sold by an African importing company. No idea of the quality and actually didn't check out the website but it looks pretty nice Cheesy

https://youtu.be/w8L6-Dpc5Qw
Back to top
 

You are a great guy Kick but also slightly scary at times. - Morphy
"Nothing matters, but it’s perhaps more comfortable to keep calm and not interfere with other people." - H.P. Lovecraft, in a letter to Frank Belknap Long, 7 October, 1923
 
IP Logged
 
Kick
past-moderator
****
Offline



Posts: 4451
Finland
Re: Maasai Spear Throwing
Reply #7 - May 27th, 2020 at 1:59pm
 
A quick look on the website and it seems they are no longer for sale Sad
Back to top
 

You are a great guy Kick but also slightly scary at times. - Morphy
"Nothing matters, but it’s perhaps more comfortable to keep calm and not interfere with other people." - H.P. Lovecraft, in a letter to Frank Belknap Long, 7 October, 1923
 
IP Logged
 
Bill Skinner
Forum Moderation
*****
Offline


Slinging Rocks!

Posts: 3292
Re: Maasai Spear Throwing
Reply #8 - May 27th, 2020 at 2:21pm
 
Cold Steel makes the Sambura Spear.  It's three parts and is designed to break down for storage.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
Morphy
Slinging.org Moderator
*****
Offline


Checkmate

Posts: 8102
Re: Maasai Spear Throwing
Reply #9 - May 27th, 2020 at 2:25pm
 
https://africaimports.com/maasai-spear-large-size

Maybe try that Kick? Seems to be working for me. It’s $50 for retail. I might wait till I feel like buying something else as well and get the wholesale price on it. Much cheaper.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
Kick
past-moderator
****
Offline



Posts: 4451
Finland
Re: Maasai Spear Throwing
Reply #10 - May 27th, 2020 at 2:51pm
 
Oh! I didn't see them at all Cheesy
Back to top
 

You are a great guy Kick but also slightly scary at times. - Morphy
"Nothing matters, but it’s perhaps more comfortable to keep calm and not interfere with other people." - H.P. Lovecraft, in a letter to Frank Belknap Long, 7 October, 1923
 
IP Logged
 
Kick
past-moderator
****
Offline



Posts: 4451
Finland
Re: Maasai Spear Throwing
Reply #11 - May 27th, 2020 at 2:53pm
 
Home Decor!? Should be Home Defence Cheesy
Back to top
 

You are a great guy Kick but also slightly scary at times. - Morphy
"Nothing matters, but it’s perhaps more comfortable to keep calm and not interfere with other people." - H.P. Lovecraft, in a letter to Frank Belknap Long, 7 October, 1923
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print
(Moderators: Curious Aardvark, Rat Man, Masiakasaurus, Bill Skinner, David Morningstar, Mauro Fiorentini, Chris)