Eastern Africa, Kenya and northern Tanzania, Maasai, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A beautiful weapon known as a rungu made of wood with an ornate beaded covering. This staff is comprised of a cylindrical wooden handle with a wood bulb surmounting the tip. Glass seed beads are woven together to create diamond shaped patterns along the handle and linear and dotted patterns on the spherical tip. The rungu is a bludgeon weapon intended for warfare and hunting, but it also traditionally served as a status symbol for male warriors. Ornate ones, such as this piece, served a ceremonial purpose at gatherings, and appointed speakers would hold the rungu when speaking. Today, these clubs are sometimes still carried when walking through the bush as protection against wild animals. Size: 30" L x 3" W (76.2 cm x 7.6 cm)

Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection

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#161959

Losses to beading on bulb with fraying and tearing of thread. The covering over bulb is loose. Signs of old repairs in several areas with added stitches to reinforce beads. Additional adhesive visible on handle to reinforce beads. Losses and loosening of beading on handle. Majority of beading is intact with nice patterns.