Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons
FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 15th August 2016, 08:13 PM   #1
Miguel
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 584
Default Zulu dancing shield spear and knobkerrie

Hello everyone, thought I would post this for comment and interest. I have owned it for 20 years and obtained it from someone who had spent many years in South Africa and had been given them from friends he had made there. He also had a War Shield but could not be persuaded to part with it.
Regards
Miguel
Attached Images
     
Miguel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18th August 2016, 08:02 PM   #2
Miguel
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 584
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Miguel
Hello everyone, thought I would post this for comment and interest. I have owned it for 20 years and obtained it from someone who had spent many years in South Africa and had been given them from friends he had made there. He also had a War Shield but could not be persuaded to part with it.
Regards
Miguel
Obviously of no interest judging by the absence of any comments but never the less I will add some dimensions to the items so the info is complete.

Shield:- 31 ins x 16 ins made from cow hide.

Central carrying stick 44 ins long with animal fur at top end.

Knobkerrie:- 35 ins lg with 0.875 ins dia shaft and 2.5 ins dia ball. I don't know the wood type.

Spear:- 35 ins lg wit 9 ins x 1.25 ins wide rough forged blade the socket of which is covered with fur.
Miguel
Miguel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18th August 2016, 09:47 PM   #3
Kmaddock
Member
 
Kmaddock's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Ireland
Posts: 543
Default

Hi
My understanding of Zulu spears is that they never had sockets
Just a tang embedded in the shaft and bound by leather cow tail sheath which is shrunk over the tang to bind all together
If you show better pictures of the socket it would help identification
Regards
Ken
Kmaddock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19th August 2016, 07:10 PM   #4
Miguel
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 584
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kmaddock
Hi
My understanding of Zulu spears is that they never had sockets
Just a tang embedded in the shaft and bound by leather cow tail sheath which is shrunk over the tang to bind all together
If you show better pictures of the socket it would help identification
Regards
Ken
Hello Ken,

I don't know about the Assegi but you are certainly correct with regard to the Iklawa (stabbing spear ) introduced by Shaka. The picture of the spear is poor, I have to agree, but I don't take particularly good pictures due to having partially double vision which makes it difficult to focus so I do the best I can. These were taken some time ago when I was redearching my collection and are now in a storage box in the loft but if you can bear with me I will try to take clearer photos as I would like to know your opinion. Thank you for your interest.
Regards
Miguel
Miguel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24th August 2016, 12:31 PM   #5
colin henshaw
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,430
Default

Hi Miguel

Due to the rather crude workmanship, lack of wear etc., these are probably mid twentieth century or later, made either for indigenous dancing/display or selling to tourists.

Old South African assegai did not have the hide binding stitched like that, it was
slid over the join unbroken, when wet from the cow's tail
colin henshaw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24th August 2016, 07:33 PM   #6
Miguel
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 584
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by colin henshaw
Hi Miguel

Due to the rather crude workmanship, lack of wear etc., these are probably mid twentieth century or later, made either for indigenous dancing/display or selling to tourists.

Old South African assegai did not have the hide binding stitched like that, it was
slid over the join unbroken, when wet from the cow's tail
Hi Colin,

Thank you for your informative comments, you have confirmed my own thoughts. Not having the knowledge I was not completely sure, thanks again.
Miguel
Miguel is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:15 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.