Zulu Assegai descriptions

Tim Simmons · 22nd July 2006, 09:25 AM

Interesting. I appear to have an old inHlendhla, iZakha. Thanks.

Tim Simmons · 22nd July 2006, 04:27 PM

Approximately 140cm long. Blade 10.5cm, iron shank 25cm. UkuCiba inHlendhla iZakha.

The Double D · 22nd July 2006, 06:23 PM

Bryant in The Zulu People has a wonderful description of the inHlendhla or iZakha, or as he refers to it inTlendla.

Quote:

The inTlendla was a "royal" weapon, carried only by the chief and other great men as he permitted. It had a a barbed blade (with two wings, each about 2 inches long) at the end of a very long shank. It was commonly used by the gentry as a walking staff of quality: though on occasion it was used for more serious business of either stabbing or hurling at a foe, who generally ran off with, as it was difficult to extract.

Tim Simmons · 22nd July 2006, 06:32 PM

Oh you are a lovely man

. Thanks Tim.

Tim Simmons · 27th July 2006, 07:01 AM

This picture was very kindly brought to my attention by Douglas. The Zulu dignitary is carrying the same spear. How nice, to find it is rather special

.

The Double D · 27th July 2006, 04:33 PM

And the next step...

In another thread I mentioned on a spear buying trip, my wife took it upon herself to liquidate my on hand cash and buy some knobkerries.

Here is one she bought. It is 38 inches long'

Do you see it in the picture? It's not a knobkerrie at all. It is the stick for a shield. If this stick is for a shield it may be for a iHubelo or hunting shield or an umBumbuluso or Cetshwayo War shield.

The Double D · 16th December 2006, 04:54 PM

isiKwata

59 inches long (149.5 cm) overall. Blade 8 inches (20 cm) long by 1 3/4 inches (4.5 cm) wide. Exposed shaft 5 inches (12.5 cm)

Heavy haft with hair covered leather binding.

Straight butt.

I am not comfortable with the description of of this spear as isKwata but it's the best I can come up with. If someone has a better idea I am listening.

22nd July 2006, 04:27 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Approximately 140cm long. Blade 10.5cm, iron shank 25cm. UkuCiba inHlendhla iZakha. Attached Images

16th December 2006, 04:54 PM	#7
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	isiKwata 59 inches long (149.5 cm) overall. Blade 8 inches (20 cm) long by 1 3/4 inches (4.5 cm) wide. Exposed shaft 5 inches (12.5 cm) Heavy haft with hair covered leather binding. Straight butt. I am not comfortable with the description of of this spear as isKwata but it's the best I can come up with. If someone has a better idea I am listening. Last edited by The Double D; 16th December 2006 at 06:16 PM.

22nd July 2006, 09:25 AM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Interesting. I appear to have an old inHlendhla, iZakha. Thanks.

22nd July 2006, 06:32 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Oh you are a lovely man . Thanks Tim.

27th July 2006, 07:01 AM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	This picture was very kindly brought to my attention by Douglas. The Zulu dignitary is carrying the same spear. How nice, to find it is rather special .

27th July 2006, 04:33 PM	#6
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	And the next step... In another thread I mentioned on a spear buying trip, my wife took it upon herself to liquidate my on hand cash and buy some knobkerries. Here is one she bought. It is 38 inches long' Do you see it in the picture? It's not a knobkerrie at all. It is the stick for a shield. If this stick is for a shield it may be for a iHubelo or hunting shield or an umBumbuluso or Cetshwayo War shield.