African Weaponry Beyond War

Weaponry among Kenyan communities

With 44 unique ethnic communities living within its borders, Kenya is blessed with a rich and vibrant cultural heritage. The National Museums of Kenya holds priceless artifacts documenting this cultural heritage for posterity.

Different types of weapons

Traditional weapons were usually made from copper, brass, and particularly iron. They included swords, daggers, knives, spears, axes and shields.

Weapons were not always synonymous with warfare

Most weapons were made and used for purposes that went far beyond their original functions of hunting and warfare. The non-practical functions of weaponry also included symbolism and beauty.

Quiver and arrows used by the Kamba

This quiver and arrows were shaped using a panga. They were made and used by men for hunting birds and animals, and as a weapon.

Sword used by the Kipsigis community

This traditional sword was made of a wooden haft with a metallic head and cow hide sheath sewn together with cow back muscle. The wood was cut from a kuriot tree. It was used as a weapon by warriors during warfare, and for hunting animals.

Samburu club

This round and bent headed wooden club, with a long handle, was cut and made by Mr Lelosin Lekuyie of the Samburu community, who used it for protection in warfare.

Sword used by the Somali

This sword was used by people of high social status within the Somali community, and as a weapon for defence during warfare.

Gun used by the Mau-Mau

This hand-made gun used as a weapon by the Mau-Mau to defend themselves when attacked by an enemy, and for hunting animals.

Turkana wrist knife

This wrist knife was made from scrap iron by a Turkana blacksmith. It was used by a Turkana warrior for fighting and cutting meat.

The powerful Maasai shield

Maasai shields, the 'elongo', represent one of the many genres of African artifacts with both utilitarian craft and fine art characteristics. On the utilitarian front, shields were a Maasai warrior's most important tool in hunting and warfare. They not only offered physical protection but also protection of a symbolic nature.

A Maasai warrior with shield and spear

The Oloibon would bless the warriors' shields with charms known as 'entasim', to increase their protective power and ensure that the warriors were safe and successful in cattle raids.

Outside of the warring context, shields were prestige objects and symbols of identification. Different designs were used to differentiate the various Maasai sub-communities, age sets, and sometimes a complex lineage identification system.

The design of the Maasai Shield (back view)

Every warrior made his own shield using only male buffalo skin which, was acquired by hunting.

The Maasai shield is convex shaped and is composed of buffalo hide sewn onto a wooden frame. The handle is attached at the centre back of the shield and wrapped with leather strips. The surface of the shield is decorated with large, nearly symmetrical crescents in red, white and black.

Complementary weapon sets

This Kisii warrior is holding a shield made from wildebeest hide and a spear. Shields and spears were often used hand-in-hand in battle. In African communities, the shield (held on this warrior's left hand) and spear (held in his right) were some of the most common weapons used.

The shield was effective as it offered its user a good level of protection. On the other hand, the spear was useful for its long reach.

The two teeth tied to his arm indicate that he has killed a man in battle.