kirdi shields

[nKante]

I was wondering if anyone had any information about how the Kirdi shields are constructed. I have a feeling that the raw hide is laid on soft ground and an embossed wooden form was pushed into the back of the hide, creating the designs on the front. But that is only a guess.

[Martin Lubojacky]

I think it will be something similar to how hide shields were made by some ethnic groups living in the territory of today's Ethiopia, for example Arussi, Gurage, Amarro Ometo. Allegedly, they first pickled the hide in something and then used a wooden hoof and also hammer knocking. And during this operation they continuously rubbed it with oil. But I don't have that confirmed, I just heard it somewhere. In any case, the production techniques have already been forgotten and the imitations produced today are easily recognizable.

[Tim Simmons]

I think the old leather ones might have been made like a leather sandwich filled with fibres?