Zulu spear

[kronckew]

I've read the tribes surrounding the Zulu that were essentially vassal tribes, supplied weapons as a tribute tax to the Zulu. The short hafted Ik'lwa, as far as I know, were peculiar to the post-Shaka Zulu regimental fighting style & life system. Did they recruit or form regiments from the vassal tribes?

[Kmaddock]

Hi All
Thanks for extra information, and two v nice acquisitions.
In Ireland the pickings are slim at the moment on the ethnic weaponry front. 18 th century swords are coming my way thick and fast though so not all bad news
Regards
Ken

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by kronckew

Did they recruit or form regiments from the vassal tribes?

Hi Wayne

From what I've read ... the Zulu kingdom was just a small clan in the very early 19th century, but under the dynamic leadership of King Shaka, it expanded greatly by both conquest of surrounding peoples and alliances. All males of a certain age within the Zulu Kingdom were required to serve as warriors for a fair period of time, and were more or less a standing army which could be called upon when needed.

I am attaching an illustration from Montague's book "Weapons and Implements of Savage Races" 1921 for interest.

[kronckew]

yes, the TV series 'SHAKA' follow that storyline. Worth watching. Spoiler: He gets assasinated in the end. King Cetshwayo (Zulu war 1879) did better, visiting London and was quite the hit there, returned to kwaZulu and ruled there till he passed in 1884.

The two ik'lwa stabbing spears are on the left, the 2 much longer isijula (light throwers) on the right, with long tangs like roman pila, possibly for the same reason the Romans did it.

King Cetshwayo: (I suspect the photo was flipped horizontally at some point in history. Hankie pocket should be on the left breast.)