Zulu Assegai descriptions

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.

The Double D · 16th December 2006, 06:08 PM

iKhebezane: Assegai with long broad blade with grooves, not common in Zululand. Bryant, Zulu-English Dictionary. Colenso and Calloway say that it is a light spear which Colenso states is used by the amaPhondo.

A.T. Bryant in The Zulu People gives this additional information. "In the iKebezane assegai (confined to Swazis, Natal Natives and Mpondos) one half of the blade, back and front , but on opposite sides was grooved concavely.

I used this description to describe the small spear up thread. This week I got this spear.

This spear is 45 inches long (114.5 cm ). Blade is 16 inches long by 2 inches wide (40 cm x 5 cm). No exposed shaft, concave blade and no swollen butt.

I think this new spear more correctly fits the description of iKhebezane than the ligther one. Both spears were made using the same manufacturing techniques.

The new spear is also very definitely a stabbing spear.

The Double D · 16th December 2006, 06:30 PM

inGcula

Overall length 53 inches (135 cm). Blade 4 1/2 inches by 7/8 inches (11 cm x 2.2 cm) Shank 7 1/2 inches (190 cm) Flared butt.

Tim Simmons · 16th December 2006, 07:13 PM

These are rather nice. I like the iKhebezane a good find. I wonder if this blade is obtained through trade or is it made by Zulu smiths? Very interesting i would not of thought this was from so far south. I would have said Mashona land or further north. You are getting a nice colletion going.

The Double D · 16th December 2006, 07:41 PM

A.T. Bryant credits the iKebezane assegai to Swazis, Natal Natives and Mpondos. All Nguni's as well as the Zulu's if I under stand the anthropolgy right. All those tribes surround Zululand.

By trade, by conquest, to the victor go the spoils. Food, cattle, weapons and women.

I will be spending Christmas at Isandlwana Lodge and they have arrange for me to visit a blacksmith. I hope he can shed some light on this.

Tim Simmons · 17th December 2006, 12:00 PM

As Southern African is at the top again I just have to add this. I got it today at one of those military junk fairs, I really should not have spent any money at all!!!

especially as it was not much of a bargain. So I post it to get good mileage.

Douglas does that book with all the spear info mention anything about sticks and staffs?

16th December 2006, 04:54 PM	#2
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.

17th December 2006, 12:00 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	not a spear but a stick As Southern African is at the top again I just have to add this. I got it today at one of those military junk fairs, I really should not have spent any money at all!!! especially as it was not much of a bargain. So I post it to get good mileage. Douglas does that book with all the spear info mention anything about sticks and staffs? Attached Images

27th July 2006, 04:33 PM	#1
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.

16th December 2006, 06:08 PM	#3
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	iKhebezane: Assegai with long broad blade with grooves, not common in Zululand. Bryant, Zulu-English Dictionary. Colenso and Calloway say that it is a light spear which Colenso states is used by the amaPhondo. A.T. Bryant in The Zulu People gives this additional information. "In the iKebezane assegai (confined to Swazis, Natal Natives and Mpondos) one half of the blade, back and front , but on opposite sides was grooved concavely. I used this description to describe the small spear up thread. This week I got this spear. This spear is 45 inches long (114.5 cm ). Blade is 16 inches long by 2 inches wide (40 cm x 5 cm). No exposed shaft, concave blade and no swollen butt. I think this new spear more correctly fits the description of iKhebezane than the ligther one. Both spears were made using the same manufacturing techniques. The new spear is also very definitely a stabbing spear.

16th December 2006, 06:30 PM	#4
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	inGcula Overall length 53 inches (135 cm). Blade 4 1/2 inches by 7/8 inches (11 cm x 2.2 cm) Shank 7 1/2 inches (190 cm) Flared butt.

16th December 2006, 07:13 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	These are rather nice. I like the iKhebezane a good find. I wonder if this blade is obtained through trade or is it made by Zulu smiths? Very interesting i would not of thought this was from so far south. I would have said Mashona land or further north. You are getting a nice colletion going.

16th December 2006, 07:41 PM	#6
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	A.T. Bryant credits the iKebezane assegai to Swazis, Natal Natives and Mpondos. All Nguni's as well as the Zulu's if I under stand the anthropolgy right. All those tribes surround Zululand. By trade, by conquest, to the victor go the spoils. Food, cattle, weapons and women. I will be spending Christmas at Isandlwana Lodge and they have arrange for me to visit a blacksmith. I hope he can shed some light on this.