Zulu Axe

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.

The Double D · 20th August 2006, 06:54 AM

All the people in this area are Bantu's and closely related, so similiar patterns would be expected. The differences I believe are just a difference in how the local blacksmith makes things.

Sam the Swazi Spearmaker does it one way, Zed from Zulu fine Cutlery does it another, Tsonga Tom's Custom Blacksmithing have their version of the standard patterns. No different than any number of modern customs bladesmith have dozen different ways to make a drop point hunter.

It would be nice to give you folks some nice close up photos and good desrcriptions of this particular axe, but it hasn't arrived yet.

I don't know why, it was shipped by courir Thursday and it's only 500k from Pretoria to Durban. It isn't like it is in backwoods of the US or something.

The Double D · 22nd August 2006, 05:50 PM

Well it finally arrived. Wow, this thing is big. It definitley is not a functional axe.

Here it is with my iKlwe.

The tiles on the floor are 13 inch/33 cm. The overall length is 43 1/2 inch/ 110 cm.

The blade is 13 inch/33 cm from tip to tip. The nose of the blade is 5 7/8 inch/15 cm from the haft.

The blade is attached through a hole in the haft and secured with metal wedges.

It appears to have been hand forged with crude tools.

Since I am in no position to dispute Chief Buthelezi's use of this axe, I am going to call it a Zulu Chieftains axe. Ethnographic, but definitely not antique, from late 20th Century.

And the best endorsement, my wife thinks it's neat.

19th August 2006, 08:45 PM	#5
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, 07:03 AM	#1
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	#2
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	#3
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	#4
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

20th August 2006, 06:54 AM	#6
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	All the people in this area are Bantu's and closely related, so similiar patterns would be expected. The differences I believe are just a difference in how the local blacksmith makes things. Sam the Swazi Spearmaker does it one way, Zed from Zulu fine Cutlery does it another, Tsonga Tom's Custom Blacksmithing have their version of the standard patterns. No different than any number of modern customs bladesmith have dozen different ways to make a drop point hunter. It would be nice to give you folks some nice close up photos and good desrcriptions of this particular axe, but it hasn't arrived yet. I don't know why, it was shipped by courir Thursday and it's only 500k from Pretoria to Durban. It isn't like it is in backwoods of the US or something.

22nd August 2006, 05:50 PM	#7
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	Well it finally arrived. Wow, this thing is big. It definitley is not a functional axe. Here it is with my iKlwe. The tiles on the floor are 13 inch/33 cm. The overall length is 43 1/2 inch/ 110 cm. The blade is 13 inch/33 cm from tip to tip. The nose of the blade is 5 7/8 inch/15 cm from the haft. The blade is attached through a hole in the haft and secured with metal wedges. It appears to have been hand forged with crude tools. Since I am in no position to dispute Chief Buthelezi's use of this axe, I am going to call it a Zulu Chieftains axe. Ethnographic, but definitely not antique, from late 20th Century. And the best endorsement, my wife thinks it's neat.