Zulu war axe for discussion

kronckew · 12th July 2015, 11:29 PM

for discussion & comment. just won/bought this one thru ebay.

An addition for the kwaZulu/Shona wing of my castle armoury:

Overall Length approx. 33.25 in./84.5 cm.
The head is approx. 8 in./20 cms from tip to tip.

i gather that Shaka had banned isizenze as he wanted to standardize his impis on the iklwa. they became a ceremonial badge as noted elsewhere here, can this be late 17c to early 18th c. pre, early shaka period?

this one has an hammered iron/steel re-enforcing collar and has the through end peened over rather than just bent. seems a substantial blade and haft tho in need of some TLC. appears to be a weapon rather than just ceremonial & possibly old.

any further comments appreciated, and thanks in advance.

colin henshaw · 15th July 2015, 08:58 AM

An interesting axe that looks to have some age to it. According to the old British Museum handbook, this type is Basuto ? However, its often very difficult to distinguish between the weapons used by tribal groups in South-East Africa, there having been much crossover. At least that's my understanding...

From the images, it seems the handle has been varnished/stained at one time, now partly removed ?

kronckew · 15th July 2015, 09:39 AM

i've read that the sotho (basoto) tribes of south africa (lesotho is named after them) did indeed make these style axes, the zulu did not make their own axes, but traded with the sotho tribes for them, the zulu preferring theirs. i've also heard the zulu would be paid tribute in weapons from other tribes in the area, including iwisa as well as axes, etc.

axe should be arriving today, i'll check the haft. it may have been varnished by a previous UK owner...

i suspect the wood is suffering from some neglect & ageing. it ooks like the rust may have impregnated the wood near the head resulting in some staining.

i'll also get my brass & nylon brushes out & wash/brush off the active rust & give it a coat of ballistol...

kronckew · 17th July 2015, 07:42 PM

axe arrived this afternoon. i gave it a good scrubbing to get the dirt and powdery rust off the iron bits and the flaking varnish remnants that were still on the haft. followed by a good rinse in hot water. i'll likely oil it tomorrow with ballistol on the iron/steel bits and walnut oil on the haft. the white spot on the starboard side was a paper label, writing long gone, that fell apart as i unpacked it, the blade under the label is almost rust free where it protected the blade.

nice heft to it. it's 555 grams in weight (1.22 lb.). the sharp edge has rusted down to dull, but she's still rarin' to go.

12th July 2015, 11:29 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	Zulu war axe for discussion for discussion & comment. just won/bought this one thru ebay. An addition for the kwaZulu/Shona wing of my castle armoury: Overall Length approx. 33.25 in./84.5 cm. The head is approx. 8 in./20 cms from tip to tip. i gather that Shaka had banned isizenze as he wanted to standardize his impis on the iklwa. they became a ceremonial badge as noted elsewhere here, can this be late 17c to early 18th c. pre, early shaka period? this one has an hammered iron/steel re-enforcing collar and has the through end peened over rather than just bent. seems a substantial blade and haft tho in need of some TLC. appears to be a weapon rather than just ceremonial & possibly old. any further comments appreciated, and thanks in advance. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 12th July 2015 at 11:48 PM.

15th July 2015, 08:58 AM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	An interesting axe that looks to have some age to it. According to the old British Museum handbook, this type is Basuto ? However, its often very difficult to distinguish between the weapons used by tribal groups in South-East Africa, there having been much crossover. At least that's my understanding... From the images, it seems the handle has been varnished/stained at one time, now partly removed ? Last edited by colin henshaw; 15th July 2015 at 09:14 AM.

15th July 2015, 09:39 AM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	i've read that the sotho (basoto) tribes of south africa (lesotho is named after them) did indeed make these style axes, the zulu did not make their own axes, but traded with the sotho tribes for them, the zulu preferring theirs. i've also heard the zulu would be paid tribute in weapons from other tribes in the area, including iwisa as well as axes, etc. axe should be arriving today, i'll check the haft. it may have been varnished by a previous UK owner... i suspect the wood is suffering from some neglect & ageing. it ooks like the rust may have impregnated the wood near the head resulting in some staining. i'll also get my brass & nylon brushes out & wash/brush off the active rust & give it a coat of ballistol... Last edited by kronckew; 15th July 2015 at 10:39 AM.

17th July 2015, 07:42 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	axe arrived this afternoon. i gave it a good scrubbing to get the dirt and powdery rust off the iron bits and the flaking varnish remnants that were still on the haft. followed by a good rinse in hot water. i'll likely oil it tomorrow with ballistol on the iron/steel bits and walnut oil on the haft. the white spot on the starboard side was a paper label, writing long gone, that fell apart as i unpacked it, the blade under the label is almost rust free where it protected the blade. nice heft to it. it's 555 grams in weight (1.22 lb.). the sharp edge has rusted down to dull, but she's still rarin' to go.