Zulu Axe

katana · 17th August 2006, 09:22 PM

In my experience, as Congoblades has pointed out axes are not commonly associated with the Zulu....there is a strong possibility that it is Swazi.
Below is a picture of a Swazi ceremonial axe....notice the blade design is very similar ....although the shaft is more ornate

Swazi Ceremonial Axe; Between sixty and eighty years old. The blade may be older. When the owner dies, normally the wooden shaft would be broken at the grave. Then the son will use the blade to make a new axe

The Double D · 18th August 2006, 06:34 AM

There are some subtle difference between the pictured Swazi Axe and the one I now call a Zulu axe. The difference may be only because they were made by two different persons or they may be cultural. I don't know.

Bryant in The Zulu People does say the Zulu's made axes or iZembe. Were these axes the type we see here or something else all together, he doesn't say. Krige in The Social System of the Zulus refers to a battle axe or iZenze. She says there is no record of them used in battle since Shaka's days, and she references Samuelson Long, Long Ago. I don't have Samuelson.

Bryant further clouds the issue by saying the "battle-axe of the the Sutus, Swazis and other neighbouring Bantu, though known to the Zulus by importation (and called imBemba) was never one of their war weapons"

I agree that there was a good deal of trade and taking of spoils going on in the area. The Tsongas, Zulus, Swazis and other Bantu were all neighbors. It seems natural they would have each others weapons.

And of course the display by Chief Buthelezi of the Axe in a public setting might be just a fantasy symbol.

I do note however that the axe I bid on and won seem to have the same charactoristics in blade shape and haft as the Chiefs.

Bill M · 18th August 2006, 07:03 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1

I know little about Zulu, but have bought some good pieces from this seller before. He seems very knowledgeable.

I have an old Swazi axe like the above also. It is my understanding that these were ceremonial.

Bill,
aka Naga Basuki

The Double D · 18th August 2006, 05:48 PM

I found this photo in my personal collection. It is another picture of Chief Buthelezi in front of the Zulu impi at the Isandlwana Centennial.

He is holding the same pattern axe as I have acquired. I'm convinced that the axe I have acquired is Zulu. It is no were near as fancy as the others from neighboring tribes, but has it's own similar but distinct characteristics.

I think these things are more like scepters than weapons.

Now if the express courior would just deliver it.

Chief Buthelezi is an interesting person unto himself Chief Buthelezi

katana · 18th August 2006, 09:23 PM

DD, I am sure you are right that this design of axe is more ceremonial than functional. The central fixing point looks to weak/thin for such a wide blade. If this is indeed a Zulu forged/made axe......and bearing in mind the close proximity of the Swazi ...I'm wondering whether the axe head 'V' shape has any cultural or symbolic meaning? I don't remember seeing this design attributed to central or Northern Africa.......that isn't to say that isn't the case.....I sure I'll be corrected if I'm mistaken.

Mapico1 · 19th August 2006, 08:09 PM

Hi,I bought some like that from Gordon(collectingspears)and he sold them to me as "Swazi axes"
Danny

Tim Simmons · 19th August 2006, 08:45 PM

To me it looks as if the type that Douglas has is a symbol of rank and ceremonial. Does it have or has ever had sharp edges?

Of the styles of axe found in S.Africa, I am sure they were used by all peoples at one time or another either through trade or just neighboring influences and an axe is a handy close quarter tool who ever forged it. It strikes me as a little confining to say one is this or that especially when the form is used in a ceremonial manner, its origin surely coming from the fighting weapon. This one of mine is a light weapon and has been sharped many times changing its shape as can be seen. The haft is also not a lot more than a stick thick at one end, though the wood is quite hard and strong. Sadly the nights are drawing in and I now have to use the flash when taking pictures.

17th August 2006, 09:22 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	In my experience, as Congoblades has pointed out axes are not commonly associated with the Zulu....there is a strong possibility that it is Swazi. Below is a picture of a Swazi ceremonial axe....notice the blade design is very similar ....although the shaft is more ornate Swazi Ceremonial Axe; Between sixty and eighty years old. The blade may be older. When the owner dies, normally the wooden shaft would be broken at the grave. Then the son will use the blade to make a new axe Attached Images

19th August 2006, 08:45 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	To me it looks as if the type that Douglas has is a symbol of rank and ceremonial. Does it have or has ever had sharp edges? Of the styles of axe found in S.Africa, I am sure they were used by all peoples at one time or another either through trade or just neighboring influences and an axe is a handy close quarter tool who ever forged it. It strikes me as a little confining to say one is this or that especially when the form is used in a ceremonial manner, its origin surely coming from the fighting weapon. This one of mine is a light weapon and has been sharped many times changing its shape as can be seen. The haft is also not a lot more than a stick thick at one end, though the wood is quite hard and strong. Sadly the nights are drawing in and I now have to use the flash when taking pictures. Attached Images

18th August 2006, 06:34 AM	#2
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	There are some subtle difference between the pictured Swazi Axe and the one I now call a Zulu axe. The difference may be only because they were made by two different persons or they may be cultural. I don't know. Bryant in The Zulu People does say the Zulu's made axes or iZembe. Were these axes the type we see here or something else all together, he doesn't say. Krige in The Social System of the Zulus refers to a battle axe or iZenze. She says there is no record of them used in battle since Shaka's days, and she references Samuelson Long, Long Ago. I don't have Samuelson. Bryant further clouds the issue by saying the "battle-axe of the the Sutus, Swazis and other neighbouring Bantu, though known to the Zulus by importation (and called imBemba) was never one of their war weapons" I agree that there was a good deal of trade and taking of spoils going on in the area. The Tsongas, Zulus, Swazis and other Bantu were all neighbors. It seems natural they would have each others weapons. And of course the display by Chief Buthelezi of the Axe in a public setting might be just a fantasy symbol. I do note however that the axe I bid on and won seem to have the same charactoristics in blade shape and haft as the Chiefs.

18th August 2006, 07:03 AM	#3
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1 I know little about Zulu, but have bought some good pieces from this seller before. He seems very knowledgeable. I have an old Swazi axe like the above also. It is my understanding that these were ceremonial. Bill, aka Naga Basuki

18th August 2006, 05:48 PM	#4
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	I found this photo in my personal collection. It is another picture of Chief Buthelezi in front of the Zulu impi at the Isandlwana Centennial. He is holding the same pattern axe as I have acquired. I'm convinced that the axe I have acquired is Zulu. It is no were near as fancy as the others from neighboring tribes, but has it's own similar but distinct characteristics. I think these things are more like scepters than weapons. Now if the express courior would just deliver it. Chief Buthelezi is an interesting person unto himself Chief Buthelezi

18th August 2006, 09:23 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	DD, I am sure you are right that this design of axe is more ceremonial than functional. The central fixing point looks to weak/thin for such a wide blade. If this is indeed a Zulu forged/made axe......and bearing in mind the close proximity of the Swazi ...I'm wondering whether the axe head 'V' shape has any cultural or symbolic meaning? I don't remember seeing this design attributed to central or Northern Africa.......that isn't to say that isn't the case.....I sure I'll be corrected if I'm mistaken.

19th August 2006, 08:09 PM	#6
Mapico1 Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 86	Hi,I bought some like that from Gordon(collectingspears)and he sold them to me as "Swazi axes" Danny