African Maasai Simi or Seme Short Sword with Red Ox Hide Covered Scabbard

The Seme, Simi, or Lion’s sword is the traditional sidearm of the African Maasai man.

It is used for everything from clearing brush, butchering cattle, to peeling fruit and when necessary, self-defence.

Maasai men belong to age groups that determine
their status, each age group being set apart by a distinctive style of weapons.

At the age of about 15 to 21, Maasai boys (called layok) are initiated into the status of young manhood, called moran or warrior and it is then constantly worn and carried with them.


This fine example of a Semi, features a sharp heavy leaf-shaped 16.4” forged steel blade, that is weighted and broadens toward the tip, making this an excellent cutting weapon. The blade does show some forging flaws, pitting and grinding marks, but was made to be used.

The grip is made from a section of wood covered in dyed red ox hide.

The scabbard is made of ox hide over thin wood strips. The production of the sword scabbards is actually a complex process.

Strips from parts of an ox hide would be taken along with the craftsman by his client, together with the sword itself and two splints of wood to make the armature of the scabbard.

The hide would be left to soak in water with a red dye, while the two pieces of wood would be carefully shaped to leave a slight lip at either side of the aperture at the top and to taper slightly towards the point.

Thin string made out of sinew is bound around the tip and brought roughly two thirds of the way up to the centre of the scabbard, then passed several times through both pieces of wood to secure them in place.

On the reverse, a small strip of leather forms a loop, being the basis of the eye through which the sword belt would eventually pass.

The thread is then run almost to the top of the scabbard where it is wrapped several times around both pieces of wood, then knotted and cut.

The dyed red hide is then stretched and stitched into place and when dry, shrinks to form a tight smooth covering.

There are some slight scuff marks on this example where it has been used.

The blade is 16.4” (2.5cm) long and the whole sword measures 22” (56cm)

It weighs 595g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

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Code: 51511