A Knobkerrie Question?

Lew · 16th February 2005, 01:36 AM

Hi Guys

I started getting into collecting knobkerries a few years ago and I have 6 or 7 at present. I know that there are differences between the Zulu and Massai clubs. When it comes to the Zulu ones I have a question. I often see the Zulu clubs with two types of wood one the is a nice brown patina wood while others have this bicolored ebony or African blackwood look. Which of these two types is considered the older or more original ones? The second question is I see many of these clubs have this kind of woven wire bands on the shaft and it seems that collectors go nuts for these types of clubs? Does the wire wrapping hold some special significance? Here is a shot of some of mine.

ariel · 16th February 2005, 02:03 AM

As per Spring, Maasai elders carried round-headed clubs of a blackened wood as a symbol of office. Old style consisted of a spherical head into which a shaft was inserted, while the newer ones were carved from a single piece.
These are remarkably similar to the Irish "shilellagh". Is it where the term Black Irish comes from?

Conogre · 17th February 2005, 06:18 AM

There is so much difference between the Zulu and the Massai that it's almost like apples and oranges.
With the Zulu and Swazi the wire wrapped pieces were often prestige oriented (I have a Zulu chief's axe that's heavily wrapped and twice normal size and weight), and the type wood also often was associated with the intended use of the club as they were/are used for more than just warfare and fighting, ie dispatching trapped/snared game and even as a throwing stick for hunting small game.
Different tribes and tribal groups also made the Ilwisa and such out of the best wood in any given area.
Some Swazi tribal groups even made theirs intentionally with the bark left on as a "training aide" for younger warriors/hunters so that they could note same when they ran across them.

16th February 2005, 01:36 AM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	A Knobkerrie Question? Hi Guys I started getting into collecting knobkerries a few years ago and I have 6 or 7 at present. I know that there are differences between the Zulu and Massai clubs. When it comes to the Zulu ones I have a question. I often see the Zulu clubs with two types of wood one the is a nice brown patina wood while others have this bicolored ebony or African blackwood look. Which of these two types is considered the older or more original ones? The second question is I see many of these clubs have this kind of woven wire bands on the shaft and it seems that collectors go nuts for these types of clubs? Does the wire wrapping hold some special significance? Here is a shot of some of mine. Attached Images

16th February 2005, 02:03 AM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	As per Spring, Maasai elders carried round-headed clubs of a blackened wood as a symbol of office. Old style consisted of a spherical head into which a shaft was inserted, while the newer ones were carved from a single piece. These are remarkably similar to the Irish "shilellagh". Is it where the term Black Irish comes from?

17th February 2005, 06:18 AM	#3
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	There is so much difference between the Zulu and the Massai that it's almost like apples and oranges. With the Zulu and Swazi the wire wrapped pieces were often prestige oriented (I have a Zulu chief's axe that's heavily wrapped and twice normal size and weight), and the type wood also often was associated with the intended use of the club as they were/are used for more than just warfare and fighting, ie dispatching trapped/snared game and even as a throwing stick for hunting small game. Different tribes and tribal groups also made the Ilwisa and such out of the best wood in any given area. Some Swazi tribal groups even made theirs intentionally with the bark left on as a "training aide" for younger warriors/hunters so that they could note same when they ran across them.