Some Zulu? Bits and Pieces.
 

Hi,
I'm lumping all these together as I got them as a lot. All items show some signs of use and wear. Ideas and comments requested.

1) Knobkerrie 24 inches long.

2) Womens beaded belt (umutscha?). I believe this to be a married womans belt because of the design i.e. the diamond/inverted triangle shape.

3) Leg adornment? male I presume.

4) Small shield 15 inches by 9 1/2 inches dance or stick fighting?

5) Detail of one of the sticks 24 inches long.

Hi Norman

The first two (knobkerry and woman's belt), look like good old pieces, either Zulu or nearby peoples. The others seem of fairly recent production, what is the leg adornment made of ?

Hi Colin,
Many thanks for the feedback. I have no idea what the item is made from :o but I have taken some more photographs which I hope will be helpful. There is a mixture of lighter and darker hair on the 'tails'. Of course it may not be a leg adornment :eek: so I hope you'll be able to tell a bit more.
My Regards,
Norman

Thanks Norman. The "leg adornment" looks like its made of strips of animal hide, with some of the hair now worn off. So, probably an older piece. Maybe a loin covering rather than a leg adornment ??

Anyway, looks a good little group ... congratulations.

Hi Colin,
Thanks again for your input. Strips of animal hide, that would make sense. Have you any ideas on the sticks particularly the one with the leather wrap at both ends presumably to stop the hand slipping. I have had another look at the small shield and it does show a reasonable amount of wear particularly on the hand loop. I would tend to agree it is more vintage than old. From what I can read it would appear the shield is a bit small for stick fighting but there is not a lot on the net to read. Interestingly enough the group also contained a swagger stick of the Cameronians who were active in S. Africa in the late 19th early 20thC. Thanks again.
My Regards,
Norman.


P.S. The photo I found on the net is purportedly from the 20's.

Oh, i like the western belts on the chest of the guy in the far right :eek:.

Thanks Norman. Regarding the shield ... the stick doesn't look like it belongs, they are usually thinner and don't extend past each end of the shield so far. In fact its similar to the other two sticks. The leather woven "turk's head" knots on the last stick look European ?? I remember a picture somewhere of a young Zulu man with lots of beadwork adornment and a very small shield like yours, described as "courting costume". But who knows ?? :)

Regards,
Colin

Hi Colin,
Have removed the stick from the shield, it was not easy at all so I suspect you are correct in that is does not belong. Thanks for all your input in this thread.
My Regards,
Norman.