Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


177 - Zulu Iklwa (Assegai) Short Stabbing Spear, circa 1980

Although fairly new - Lew dated this to circa 1980 - this is a very nicely made example of the classical Zulu Assegai short stabbing spear. The leaf shaped blade is just under 12 inches in length, narrowing to have a cross section that is roughly square with rounded edges within about an inch of the shaft. The double edged leaf shaped blade has a low midrib on either face with a filed finish. The short (about 21½ inch long shaft) is round where the blade exits and wrapped with interwoven plant fiber as the diameter enlarges. In the last few inches the shaft widens and takes on an oval cross-section. Overall length is just under 33½ inches with a weight just under 18 ounces.




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