Question for African Members

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Mainah

New member
First of all this isn't firearms related. I apologize, and understand if it is deleted.

I got back from a trip to Kenya last week, did a non-hunting safari. We stayed in lodges, and were required to have escorts if we went out at night due to the wildlife.

Most of the guards were Maasai, very friendly guys, easy to talk to. All they carried for protection was a stick. And they were facing hippos, hyena, leopards, lions, etc...

They all assured me that they only needed sticks. And I noticed that the Maasai in the bush only had sticks, and machetes for protection with their herds of cattle, goats and sheep.

At one point I thought back to this forum and all the questions I've seen about what type of firearm to carry for protection against various North American mammals.

Can you really survive in the African brush with a stick for protection?
 
S

Scorch

New member
Most of the guards were Maasai, very friendly guys, easy to talk to.
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Sure, they are warriors. They have no need to fear you. Or pretty much anything else in the bush.
At one point I thought back to this forum and all the questions I've seen about what type of firearm to carry for protection against various North American mammals.
Can you really survive in the African brush with a stick for protection?
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Sure, what makes you think you need a gun to protect yourself from anything out there? Of course, a lot of it has to do with how you use the stick . . .
 
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Skadoosh

New member
Just a thought: I am pretty sure your escort would have done his best to alert you to and protect you from the local wildlife. But as they are only armed with a stick/spear, if attacked, one of you would probably have been severely maimed or even killed. And its very likely it would be the Maasai escort alone who walks back into camp alive...
 
M

Mainah

New member
Sure, they are warriors. They have no need to fear you. Or pretty much anything else in the bush.
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Not sure how I implied that they should of feared me. I was in their country, I made a point of being easy to get along with. That hasn't elicited mutual respect everywhere I've been, but it worked in Kenya.

Did you notice if they walked particularly softly?
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Buy yourself a beer for me. Well played.

I think their primary role was to be aware of, and to avoid the wildlife when they were with us at night. One guy was really cool, he brought me within fifty feet of a grazing hippo at night.
 
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davlandrum

New member
If it all went south, they would only have to out run you...:D

I think it comes down to them not getting surprised by "things".
 
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phil mcwilliam

New member
Use to be that when a Maasai boy graduated into a warrior, he would have to hunt & kill a lion with a spear. These guys are excellent bushmen, but not invincible - average lifespan is 45 years.
 
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Scorch

New member
Not sure how I implied that they should of feared me. I was in their country, I made a point of being easy to get along with. That hasn't elicited mutual respect everywhere I've been, but it worked in Kenya
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I should have been more general. i did not mean they should fear you in particular, they have no need to fear anyone. And in general, when dealing with people, it is always a good idea to show respect or be polite. Works in most places.
And its very likely it would be the Maasai escort alone who walks back into camp alive...
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I have no doubt that if you were escorted by a Maasai warrior and an animal attacked the two of you, that he would not run and leave you in the lurch. Not very warrior-like. But as others pointed out, if your guide knows the animals are there, you can often avoid sticky situations.
 
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highvel

New member
They may only need a stick for walking comfort, when you can run faster than the next guy you dont have any worries!
 
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Vt.birdhunter

New member
Remember, a stick wielding Maasai warrior doesn't have to outrun the lion, just the foreigner hes with.:D

The stick was to whack you in the knee if things got too dangerous;)
 
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arcticap

New member
Mainah said:
They all assured me that they only needed sticks. And I noticed that the Maasai in the bush only had sticks, and machetes for protection with their herds of cattle, goats and sheep.

At one point I thought back to this forum and all the questions I've seen about what type of firearm to carry for protection against various North American mammals.

Can you really survive in the African brush with a stick for protection?
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Forget about the dangerous animals.
Since insects carrying malaria are probably the largest threat, the stick may be most useful for protecting themselves from a jealous wife!
 
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C

Capt. Charlie

Moderator Emeritus
Remember, a stick wielding Maasai warrior doesn't have to outrun the lion, just the foreigner hes with.
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I've always been fascinated with the Maasai. I know you're kidding, but the way I understand it, courage is a matter of honor, and the saying "Death before dishonor" is taken literally ;).
 
M

Mainah

New member
Beyond the work they did at the lodges I also saw plenty of Maasai with their herds of cattle, sheep, and goats. And given the living conditions I saw I really doubt they'd run and leave those animals if a predator came along.

I've seen a bunch of speculation about the threat of attack from coyotes here, and I've given it some thought myself at home. I was impressed to see people who live among far more dangerous animals and use sticks for defense.

My guide told me that the lion hunts are rare now, but teenage boys still have to spend a couple of weeks alone in the bush armed with a spear in a time that preceeds the circumcision ritual. If they fail or back down they can't marry.
 
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arcticap

New member
It sounds like an oversimplification to say that the Maasai only use sticks for protection. They are known to have an entire warrior class which raids cattle from other tribes. And there are human clashes with other tribes too. After they are done being in the warrior class then they become herders. And they are protected at night within their protective earthen huts.
There are numerous animal attacks and conflicts depending on location and some are armed with spears and bows which aren't adequate protection from the many different predators.

An elderly tribesman, Samau, stops to chat. He's got a sheep with him that is limping. "A leopard attacked last night," he tells me. "It jumped inside the boma and grabbed this one and a lamb. I ran over with my spear, but it escaped – taking the lamb."

The sheep is not looking well: its neck bears the marks of leopard teeth.

"We don't sleep these days," says Samau wearily. "This leopard comes every night."

Predator attacks have always been a danger for the Masai. Saningo shows me the scars on his arms. "A male leopard was trying to steal my sheep."

http://bigcatnews.blogspot.com/2011/01/bright-new-start-how-masai-are-finally.html
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Here's a Youtube video uploaded in 2010 that shows that Maasai spears are not adequate for hunting lions either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UnAMRiLGQg


To read more about their culture:

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Maasai-79683.shtml
 
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markj

New member
My brother in law is from Togo Africa, he said they only get to use spears no firearms ever. His Dad just last year was bitten by a black mamba snake while hunting with spears.

Now the first time I let meeko shoot a gun :) that was a kick.

He asked me once, Mark, where are all the people? In his country they all walk or ride bycickles, here all are in cars and not as visible.

He speaks 7 languages, got his masters in like 5 years of college.

I used to work with a guy from Kenya, he was in their military. Very different culture and army there. Lots of African folk here at the school I work for, very nice folks.
 
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mchgnmike

New member
Mainah, Are you aware of how close to death you were when?
One guy was really cool, he brought me within fifty feet of a grazing hippo at night.
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Hippos kill more people in Africa than any other animal. They are just plain mean and fast. Get between a hippo and the water is almost certain death. I think I would have been very ****** off at the Really Cool Dude if he had done that with me. I am just sayin'.
 
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Mainah

New member
Hippos kill more people in Africa than any other animal. They are just plain mean and fast. Get between a hippo and the water is almost certain death. I think I would have been very ****** off at the Really Cool Dude if he had done that with me. I am just sayin'.
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This guy knew what he was doing. We never came between it and the water, and we were quite close to the lodge. I'm sure we could of made it back before the hippo got to us.
 
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