Zulu war axe for discussion

[kronckew]

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.