Traditional war for land in Africa
I noticed a photoseries from Kenia, Africa. I don’t know the exact details, but it is stated that in the beginning of March, members of the Kalenjin and Kisii-tribe were fighting for land. This happened in the Olmelil valley, western Kenia. Twenty deaths are reported.
The reason why I am posting this, is of course because of the bows and arrows, which are clearly visible in the photos. I am amazed by the size of both arrows and bows. I just wanted to share these photos about traditional bws still being used by tribes for warfare. Discussion is welcome.
Category: Bizarre, Photography, World
Good thing a doctor was there!
this is amazing!
i love the dude sporting a blazer. modern fashion and classic warfare, perfect!
Its called “Kenya” (I live here, I should know). Its been going on for a long time and a lot more than 20 people have died.
Man, this is a good movie. Or is it?
Dude got yapped in the face. Ouch.
wow. who took the photos?
Those are awesome pictures… I think I pooped a little
I never expected to have a chance to see such images. Looking at them is like observing from behind the glass of a time machine. We are seeing an early stage of war among humans.
The man felled by the arrow makes me think of the helmsman in Heart of Darkness, who is shot (well, speared) by warriors on the river bank.
Gotta be blunt here: what a bunch of phuking idiots.
They act the same way here in America. You can take the negro out of the jungle, but you can’t take the jungle out of the negro. History has proven this. This will never change. The only change that I do see is that these negros are wearing white mans clothing.
somebody show these guys 300, they need to know about shields hahaha
Remember, never ask for an African facial piercing.
Its funny how some racist on here are talking about not being able to change the “nigga” , you can call us niggas or monkeys, if that helps you sleep at night with your big white ego, who am i to say no. So what i wanted to say is this, Europe went through the same thing and more violent even, for centuries and centuries, some of you are dumb enough to remember, plus that is a tribe fight, do you want me to give you the definition of tribes?. these are rural populations, they have their rituals, its part of their life, who the fuck are you to have a say, or think your somehow better because those scenes are something far from europe’s past. am sure you will find similar ritual from tribes around the world. How stupid is the spanish tradition of releasing a bull at a period of the year to chase after people? how many people have died from it?, has it stopped the spanish for doing it? NOOOO. SO MIND YOUR FUCKING BUSINESS PLEAASE
If you’ve ever read Keegan’s “History of Warfare” you would understand that this form of combat is more ritualized then European thinkers are often used to; they usually shoot arrows at each other for a couple days until their food runs out or some miniscule percentage of the population gets seriously hurt or killed (of the hundreds involved in combat, 20 died, a much better casualty ratio then most of the world has known until only recently). Not many other world cultures were/are as ruthless about the annihilation of an enemy and theft of its enemies resources as Westerners until the idea was introduced via war or colonization. Going to a ritual war over pride, land and livelihood makes a lot more sense then going to total war due to pride, religion, and excessive greed. Bottom line, a small percentage of these men will be killed or wounded, and most of the wounded will survive.. compare the barbarism in this style of warfare to the suicidal albeit sometimes successful charges performed by Europeans in our plethora of wars (Pickett’s Charge? Verdun? the Somme? Charge of the Light Brigade?). Chances are if you are an American attempting to prove your intelligence with outdated and unfounded racial slurs, your great grandfather was probably one of the blessed deceased at Gettysburg who bravely ran into the muzzles of Union troops to die by the hundreds. And all that militant stupidity in an attempt to prove that African Americans weren’t as “human” as the somehow more “civilized” European Americans.
Amazing photographs! Excellent combination of modern and traditional elements. Personal favorites are 10, 11 and the 17. 10) I love the warriors traditional shawl worn over a factory made tank top and his wrist decorations/watch. 11) The silhouette of the slinger betrays no hint of modernity and it is awesome to see slings are still used let alone with intent to hurt or kill. 17) The “leader” speaking with men looking on.. I want to know the story behind that picture; is he an officer directing troops? A veteran soldier instructing greener combatants? An elder speaking after combat?
Who is the photographer?
Thank you very much for these pictures.. I envy the photographer for his experience.
This is nothing I haven’t seen a million times before. These people shoot eachother with primitive weaponry, people who have high tech weaponry use that to kill eachother.
Stop being idiots, if they had guns they’d kill eachother with guns, people love to kill one another, it’s how its always been, and sadly how it will be forever.
Hi Tekam,
I am a white american. I hope you don’t think we are all racist morons with the IQ of a rock.
Why aren’t these racist comments being moderated?
They were NOT fighting for land, but because a election fraud, I recall that photos because a kenyan friend gave me the link, that are two tribes, the one of the ex-president who refuse to leave the chair, and the tribe of the elected president, eventually they created a coalition and now are ruling together, so not everything in africa is about land.
NOTE: Sorry my bad english, is not my native language
“The reason why I am posting this, is of course because of the bows and arrows, which are clearly visible in the photos. I am amazed by the size of both arrows and bows. I just wanted to share these photos about traditional bws still being used by tribes for warfare”
Please clarify on what you mean by “size”. Are they exceptionally small, or surprisingly large? Last I checked auto-rifles and cruise missiles dealt a tad bit more carnage than traditional weapons used in traditional warfare by tribes who have kept to their own element and not embraced the Western notion of warfare.
Bloodshed happens in this world, get over it. At least they’re not napalming and cruise-missile-ing each others families and villages.
Get out of your bubble and embrace the state of the Earth for what it is.
At least they’re not napalming and ‘ethic-cleansing’ each others families into oblivion.
@Gregorian:
The Civil War was not about Slavery. It was about States’ Rights.
And while calling blacks “Nigger” or “Negro” and other racial slurs is unacceptable, calling someone a Redneck, or inferring they are someone from the South, based solely on their lack of manners is as unacceptable, even if current social rules allow it. Not everyone in the South is stupid, and not all Rednecks are racist.
Or, as my 1st grade teacher put it, “Don’t call people names.”
That being said, it is hard not to appreciate the vivid imagery of these photographs, and their depiction of the occurrences on our planet that pass largely unrecognized by major media outlets. Kudos to the photographer, for if these actual photos of such a battle and accurate in description, the photographer definitely went out the way of safety to deliver them.
Denmason you are just an idiot and you are what give us Americans a bad name.
Tekam, denmason never said “nigga” you said that. That person said negro, not much better but if you are going to quote someone at least use the same words they did. On your point of Europe went through the same thing does not make any since at all. Africa is considered the cradle of civilization and there for have had man there for thousands of years prier to Europe. So in a shorter amount of time Europe has moved on from using bow and arrows in battle. In fact Europeans have not used bows and arrows in battle in hundreds of years. But in Africa in the 21st century they are still shooting them. Africa has the resources and ability to become the most powerful continent in the world. But since the people who live there can’t get past tradition, it will always be what it is.
Gregorian I see that you are no much better than denmason by bashing Americans. Do you seriously thing you are better than Americans because you live outside of it? If were not for us Americans the world would be under the rule of Nazis and the Japanese empire, I don’t think any of us would want that. So on to your statement of “your great grandfather was probably one of the blessed deceased at Gettysburg who bravely ran into the muzzles of Union troops to die by the hundreds”. Just so you know the American civil war was over 144 years ago. So if your great grandfather was alive during the civil war he was most likely not old enough to have kids. In fact if he were alive he would have been in diapers and if he was killed he would not great grandkids to write on this site.
Now on to the photos, I have to say that they are amazing. The photographer really put their life in their hands to take them. It is a perfect cross of old meets new. There is not much that needs to be said because they do speak for themselves.
wow. i thought our society was more civilized than this. i can’t believe some of the disgusting examples or racism i have seen here.
Gregorian, your silly. You jump to way to many conclusions.
Second, its pretty crappy how they are in constant conflict.
Third, they suck at fighting. Probably a good thing tbh.
Can’t you guys recognize a troll when you see it? You make yourself look bad by answering them.
not to pour gas on any fires but the most recent bayonet charge was done in Iraq by an Argyll and Sutherland Highlander’s unit, they suffered 3 minor injuries while killing 35 insurgents and overrunning the enemy position. last known use of the longbow to my knowledge was in WWII by a Captain Jack Churchill who also used the Irish Claymore.
God damn people. Is it ever possible for an online forum to stay on topic? People nitpicking everything from his syntax to his word choice.
Whoa!! I recognize that blazer! I donated it to Goodwill about a year ago, and I am absolutely positive it was mine.
I’d rather fight with a bow and arrow than M16s, poison gas and hand grenades.
and i would rather shoot toward denmason than toward a kenyan. any day.
Teut:
kids at 40.
I am 45, father 85, grandfather would be 125, great grandfather 165. Yes my ggf could have been around and a father 144 years ago.
Tek: I agree ‘running the bulls’ is stupid. They still do it, doesn’t mean it isn’t still stupid.
Meh: Captain jack was one person, WWII wasn’t fought with longbows.
War over religion, skin color, beliefs, land, elections. No reason is any better than the next. Color it any way you want wars are fought for power.
Advancement of weaponry even though having bad results, is still advancement. When the world changes around you, you either change with it or fall prey to it eventually. American/Western world still try to fight conventional wars, not realizing terrorism/guerilla is the new style. Geneva convention is only important if both sides agree. And if you use the enemies tactics and they scream “Geneva convention” tough for them.
Bows+arrows are average size. Traditional longbows can be as tall as an average man. Get knowledge, OP.
Photos look staged.
Thanks to alec for asking the only relevant question. I wondered the same thing. It seems like their bows aren’t anything spectacular in terms of size (English longbows could be 6ft). The arrows are rather long for the size of the bow, but I believe these bows are intended to be used in rather short range and a long arrow provides accuracy while the short trajectory negates the drag of a larger arrow.
I can’t believe people are lauding this “land dispute.” I can guarantee none of the people who think this imagery as an amazing spectacle of rural African culture have ever lived a rural life, African or otherwise. This is stupid; plain and simple.
They obviously have access to modern tools considering their clothes are modern and clean, so they obviously are connected to, and thus a part of, our world culture. And in our world culture, we don’t allow murder. In America we call in gang violence, in Africa it’s a tribal land dispute, nigs are nigs, no matter where they are.
“Oh he’s just another right wing nutjob!”
No, I’m an atheistic, net-neutrality supporting, pro-pot legalization, left-leaning engineer who thinks we should get out of the middle east. You align yourself with me politically Mr. liberal hippie. Not all of us suffer white-guilt; some of us know stereotypes exist for a reason.
Call of Duty 5: Tribal Warfare.
Awesome graphics guys, I cannot wait until it comes out.
Aylen es una pelotudita de mierda!! Ahhhjaaa!
Be a man get in a bow and arrow war! Americans are soft, like to kill things with a button. Oh and to the redneck the civil war was fought because southerners didnt want anyone telling them they couldnt have slaves.
Regardless if they do it to honour their religion or not, they a essentially fighting each other with the intention of killing each other. Pity they don’t have swords or shields they would have been epic.
As the saying goes, niggers will be niggers. At least these ones choose to settle their dispute in their native country, they are ten times better than any nigger in America
Someone should give these guys guns/ammo.
give me an P90 a suit of armour and a bottle of lucozade and i’ll show them whos land it is!
@denmason
So did your society bought you any piece of mind?..I am more qualified to live in a modern society than you and i can exploit it better than you but i still hate it.Why do i say i am better then you?,well, because of your comment
@Teutates
If you don’t think Europeans have used bows and arrows and swords in combat in hundreds of years, read up on Jack Churchill of World War II fame.
@Teutates
“On your point of Europe went through the same thing does not make any since at all. Africa is considered the cradle of civilization and there for have had man there for thousands of years prier to Europe. So in a shorter amount of time Europe has moved on from using bow and arrows in battle. In fact Europeans have not used bows and arrows in battle in hundreds of years. But in Africa in the 21st century they are still shooting them. Africa has the resources and ability to become the most powerful continent in the world. But since the people who live there can’t get past tradition, it will always be what it is.”
Umm… Did you completely forget about slavery and the uprooting/expedition of 9.5 million+ people over the course of not just one, two, but three centuries? (1500-1800). That’s just to The America’s mind you and based on records that were kept so the numbers may be slightly off… Think about how many potential inventors, artists, and developers of new technology that lived and died as slaves and then think about how set back the continent is, just to give you something to think about.
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anywho to get back on topic, great pictures! It’s rare to be able to see such pictures taken regardless of the context… it appears very far fetched especially with the juxtaposition of modern clothing such as baseball caps and watches and old fashioned weapons. It’s really interesting to see the outside influence. I wonder if the cottons and polyesters serve as more of a defense than alternative methods of clothing…
Why don’t they have Shields? wouldn’t that make sense?,or even face masks,like the Knights used to wear.Yeah i understand that they may not have the metals,but they have wood and animal hide.I’m so perplexed right now! but great,great pictures and photography,so good it seems like I was watching a movie,where the fighters forgot their gear,or it was stolen by an opposing tribe,excuse me I’m just brainstorming here.
what a bunch of idiots. why to kill strategy.. just bunch of morons running around a field with ‘traditional weaponry’ (toys). i wonder if people with guns are disqualified
I use to live in Kenya..Most of these pictures are taken around the end of 2007- beginning of 2008 when it was almost like a civil war going on due to a corrupt government and a fucked up election.
BOWS AND ARROWS!! THIS CANT BE EVEN MORE EPIC THAT IT ALREADY IS!!!!
Oh stereotypes…
What the heck is so impressive about this bunch of morons with primitive bows and arrows?
Animals such as pictured above bring pain and suffering every day to “any city USA”!
And the apes now use modern weapons like AK’s -n -sheet!