Authentic Maasai Knife

Description

This is a vintage rare African tribal knife/sword commonly used by the Maasai tribe of Kenya. The blade is made of steel while the scabbard is made of raw cattle hide colored red.

PRODUCT DETAILS: Approximate measurements: 20″ Long (22″ Long w case x 3″ Wide) blade 15 3/4″ Long x 2 1/4″ Wide. Weight = .88 lbs. (.4 kg) —Not made from endangered or wild animals—

‘The Maasai are an ethnic group of traditionally semi-nomadic people inhabiting southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. An important part of their culture is the rites of passage from boyhood to the status of junior warrior, somewhere between the ages of 15 and 21 years old. Upon their graduation into manhood, each boy receives their own individual “ol alem” or the “seme” broadsword. The seme (sime) is the constant sidearm of the proud and noble Maasai man (moran). It is a light short sword with a double-edged, leaf-shaped spatulate blade made from spring steel. The Maasai use this blade for everything from clearing bush, butchering cattle, to peeling fruit. They also use it for self defense when necessary.’