Zulu Spear

thinreadline · 14th July 2012, 12:22 PM

My belief was that the term assegai ( although perhaps specific in its original Berber / Arabic usage ) has been used by Europeans as a generic word for all African spears and by the British especially for ALL types of Zulu spears . The word iklwa has been reserved only for the short stabbing spear of the Zulu . This word ( iklwa ) has long usage in SE Africa but has only fairly recently entered the English vocabulary via popular factual literature on the Zulu War of 1879 ( mainly due to Ian Knight ) .
The binding which helps to secure the tang is not typical Zulu in this example , which means either its a replacement binding or perhaps not Zulu but rather from a related ethnic group in S E Africa. Better quality spears have an intricate wire binding with or w/o a sleeve covering made from ox tail hide . In some cases , prestige status symbol spears particularly of the iklwa type belonging to chiefs are wholly covered in wire binding even to the typical swollen butt end.
I attach some examples from my own collection

christek · 14th July 2012, 02:53 PM

Hi Threadline,

Thank you for your comment and pics. A very interesting suggestion and some wonderful examples! The term assegai being used as a generic word for all African spears would appear to make further sense when one considers the synonymous usage in many sources, both historical and contemporary. Thank you again for showing your pieces, the wire bindings are incredibly intricate and show a wonderful craftsmanship. These pieces must have taken some time to construct, especially the fully binded iklwa. May I ask if the smaller spear in the middle is a throwing spear?

There is certainly no wire binding that I can see on my spear; just the ox tail sleeve covering and some further binding underneath that appears to be some organic material. I am only making unsourced assumptions here, however; could it be possible that, when we consider the size of the Zulu army (during the conflict with the British in the 19th century) was between 35 - 40 000 strong, that throwing spears of lesser intricacy and quality (such as this one) were perhaps manufactured in volume?

Kind regards
Chris

thinreadline · 14th July 2012, 03:07 PM

Hi Chris
Its a pleasure .. Zulu weaponry has been an interest of mine well since I was 11 years old and went to see the film Zulu !
If you examine any late 19th / early 20th century childrens adventure stories , the word assegai is used for spears of any type in any part of Africa .
Yes the middle spear is an throwing spear .. of very good quality and craftsmanship , and yes I am sure in times of war, 'disposable' weapons such as throwing spears would certainly suffer in quality and also relate to the wealth and position of the owner .

mross · 16th July 2012, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinreadline

Hi Chris
Its a pleasure .. Zulu weaponry has been an interest of mine well since I was 11 years old and went to see the film Zulu !
If you examine any late 19th / early 20th century childrens adventure stories , the word assegai is used for spears of any type in any part of Africa .
Yes the middle spear is an throwing spear .. of very good quality and craftsmanship , and yes I am sure in times of war, 'disposable' weapons such as throwing spears would certainly suffer in quality and also relate to the wealth and position of the owner .

Intresting topic. From your pictures the middle one is the one I would associate with the throwing spear and it seems that is the case. The bottom one is the one I always thought was the assegai. Is that correct? What then is the top one? I have read the form evolved into the larger blade around the time of Shaka, or because of I suppose.

katana · 19th July 2012, 02:25 AM

I've read references that state that Zulu spearheads are forged with a shoulder at the base of the 'head' . Such as Thinreadline's example. Many 'provenanced' spears I have seen support this statement.

All the best David

collectingspears · 29th June 2013, 10:06 AM

The shoulder on the base of the blade is actually common on all Northern Nguni spear blades including; Zulu, Swazi, Shangaan, Matabele and all the Ngoni groups in Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia & Tanzania. the notch is even seen on some Southern Nguni spears. A visit to any old traditional spearmaker in these countries will confirm this fact.
Regards,

14th July 2012, 12:22 PM	#1
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	My belief was that the term assegai ( although perhaps specific in its original Berber / Arabic usage ) has been used by Europeans as a generic word for all African spears and by the British especially for ALL types of Zulu spears . The word iklwa has been reserved only for the short stabbing spear of the Zulu . This word ( iklwa ) has long usage in SE Africa but has only fairly recently entered the English vocabulary via popular factual literature on the Zulu War of 1879 ( mainly due to Ian Knight ) . The binding which helps to secure the tang is not typical Zulu in this example , which means either its a replacement binding or perhaps not Zulu but rather from a related ethnic group in S E Africa. Better quality spears have an intricate wire binding with or w/o a sleeve covering made from ox tail hide . In some cases , prestige status symbol spears particularly of the iklwa type belonging to chiefs are wholly covered in wire binding even to the typical swollen butt end. I attach some examples from my own collection Attached Images

19th July 2012, 02:25 AM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	I've read references that state that Zulu spearheads are forged with a shoulder at the base of the 'head' . Such as Thinreadline's example. Many 'provenanced' spears I have seen support this statement. All the best David Attached Images

14th July 2012, 02:53 PM	#2
christek Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 52	Hi Threadline, Thank you for your comment and pics. A very interesting suggestion and some wonderful examples! The term assegai being used as a generic word for all African spears would appear to make further sense when one considers the synonymous usage in many sources, both historical and contemporary. Thank you again for showing your pieces, the wire bindings are incredibly intricate and show a wonderful craftsmanship. These pieces must have taken some time to construct, especially the fully binded iklwa. May I ask if the smaller spear in the middle is a throwing spear? There is certainly no wire binding that I can see on my spear; just the ox tail sleeve covering and some further binding underneath that appears to be some organic material. I am only making unsourced assumptions here, however; could it be possible that, when we consider the size of the Zulu army (during the conflict with the British in the 19th century) was between 35 - 40 000 strong, that throwing spears of lesser intricacy and quality (such as this one) were perhaps manufactured in volume? Kind regards Chris

14th July 2012, 03:07 PM	#3
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	Hi Chris Its a pleasure .. Zulu weaponry has been an interest of mine well since I was 11 years old and went to see the film Zulu ! If you examine any late 19th / early 20th century childrens adventure stories , the word assegai is used for spears of any type in any part of Africa . Yes the middle spear is an throwing spear .. of very good quality and craftsmanship , and yes I am sure in times of war, 'disposable' weapons such as throwing spears would certainly suffer in quality and also relate to the wealth and position of the owner .

29th June 2013, 10:06 AM	#6
collectingspears Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Swaziland Posts: 6	The shoulder on the base of the blade is actually common on all Northern Nguni spear blades including; Zulu, Swazi, Shangaan, Matabele and all the Ngoni groups in Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia & Tanzania. the notch is even seen on some Southern Nguni spears. A visit to any old traditional spearmaker in these countries will confirm this fact. Regards,