21/12/2023
Maasai Leader's indigenous weapon of power 'Inkai' definitions..
Olmurrani..
Warriors weapons of power are 5 in numbers it represents strength, courage and might 'inkai Olosho'. This indigenous weapons of power are used for protection against any internal incursion or external aggressions by foreign invaders, it's weapons to protect one from combat fights and battles of any kind and bring victory or for territorial expansion from rival communities..
The Warrior-hood 'Murrano' is an initiation period whereby the newly circumsized lad of Maasai are prepared to pass into the age-set system of leadership through a common ancestor 'Olporor' of an age-group that every warrior has to undergo some physical and mental tests design by elders for training and mentorship programme. This sometimes takes a duration of more than 7yrs experiencing full autonomy of freedom over the people as the Army of the land before another age-set is initiated to fill the space of authority in protecting the land and people for the same reasons.
This happens concurrently within every Maasai clans and sections.
In Ilkisong'o section and all its sub clusters they only initiate one combined set of Age-group within a define period while the Ilpurko section and it's northerners sections have two separate age-set within one same Age-group.
The dual system within one Age-group in Ilkisong'o section was abolished during the inter bloody clashes between one Age-set of 'Ilterito' age-group that was the last to have two separate initiation of left and right within the same Age-group.
Maasai combatant warriors must have the five5 weapons of power at all time, some are casual weapons that a true Maasai Warrior must have at any disposal time while other are strictly worn during wartimes.
1. Elong'o - A shield, A warriors shield is made of a buffalo skin/ hide to protect the warrior during battles from arrows, swords, or any other crude weapons thrown at him, it can also protect a Warrior against close combats and animals attack eg. fighting lions. the button where the arm rests is called enkurret e long'o, mostly made of a rhino's skin to prevent penentration of arrows or spear that might easily make you loose your grip and open your guard against your opponent.
Most war generals are marked on the right side of a shield with a fearless medal called 'Olong'u', a fearless eye.
Others are marked with their traditional Moieties clans brands or earmarks for easy identification if the oponnents might turn out to be your brother from the same family tree, this might cause a ceasefire.
2. 'Empere'- A spear is the most precious weapon for any Warrior, it's a sign of authority, independence and its sharp steel spade is distinctively kept rust free and oiled with animal fat to shine. The long metal rode is joined by a piece of exotic crafted wood at the center, a dark ebony wood denotes a senior warrior with full autonomous independent , where lighter wood indicates a junior with no much authority or full rights within the land, the wood separates the two sharp ends of the spear, the blade is sharpened in both side and the warrior use it for close compact or distant attack by aiming, throwing or stubbing the opponent or it protects against fierce wildlife attack.
3. Olalem - A sword - is the constant sidearm of the Maasai Warriors. It is a light medium sword with a double-edged, leaf-shaped spatulate blade, often made from spring steel. The Maasai use this blade for everything from clearing brush, butchering cattle and for fencing kraals. The other main purpose of a sword is for self defense and as a sign of manhood, every Maasai man mast have a sword or a knife as no one will serve you meat using his own weapon.
4. Emootian/Imbaa - Arrows - this is a small cylindrical wooden pack and arrows, it's a sharpened pointed poison blades attached to a long stick for distance attack, not carried on their day to day routine, unless war is ensued.
5. Enkawuo - A Bow - It's made of a strong and flexible curved stick tied from both ends with a strong string made of animals skin, tendons or ligaments. Enkawuo is an indigenous weapons with many definations and used as a sacred instrument of powers for inducting traditional rituals.
What's your own understanding of this indigenous emblems of power as prescribed above or according to your own sections and clusters as per your own personal experience for those who have become or served as warriors of the Maasai Nation.. ?
