Kenyan Turkana 4 Iron Fighting Bracelets & Finger Knife

East Africa, Kenya, Turkana culture, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A group of four forged iron ararait fighting bracelets accompanied by an iron finger knife. Each bracelet features a circular, crescent-edged blade form sheathed with narrow bands of leather along both the inner and outer cutting edges, the tips reinforced with coiled aluminum fittings for added strength. The inner perimeters are lined with additional leather pads to protect the wearer's wrists. These versatile weapons were used by Turkana warriors in close-quarters fighting, where the leather wrappings could be removed to expose the sharpened iron for lethal use. When not serving a martial function, ararait bracelets also held practical and symbolic purposes - used for cutting fruit or meat, or worn as marks of status and readiness. The accompanying iron finger knife, shaped with a distinctive hooked blade, could serve as both a defensive implement and utilitarian tool. Size of largest bracelet: 5" Diameter (12.7 cm) Item # 197756

Estimate:£93.44

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