TURKANA SPEAR SHEATHS

Shaped rawhide to cover the edge of the spear point, protecting it. It also served to display the spear in social situations. Specifically related to the covers worn on Turkana wrist knives. The Turkana were Nilotic, related to the Maasai, Luo and Dinka. Their economy and culture centered on livestock which the freely stole from the Maasai, often leading to bloody confrontations. They used their spears to protect their livestock from human and animal predators. Three Turkana spear sheaths, Two with ocher pigmentation, one with trade bead decoration and one finely decorated with tiny beads and ostrich feather tufts. Three pieces together.