Ethiopian Shield ?
 

Hi Stephen

Its from the Essa tribe (Eritrea I think). Nice shield.

Regards

I think the only one way is to souse it. After than to put the shield on system of vessels, conically set together, and weight it from the top (again vessel, but topsyturvy + weight). One must rigorously choose diameters of vessels. It is not easy and always risky. You for instance risk unrolling of the rim. Also, if you are successful - i. e. shape is good after desiccation, it could distort again after some time, based on humidity in the air an based on the state of the skin. When the shield is dry, it could be treated with lanolin (dissolved), but again very carefully, as too much lanolin could dissociate chemical bonds in the leather. This Issa shield is very nice and relatively rare and it would be pity to damage it, if you are not experienced. I would better suggest to discuss it with restore Dept of some Ethnogr. museum near your place. I have realized a.m. procesdure several times, but fruitfulness was cca 70 %. So be very careful and keep in mind, that some negative changes could be irreversible. Better discuss it with museum.
Regards, Martin

Yes, this could be the reason
(I heard Issa warriors never sold or gave their own shields to somebody else as possession of shield was point of honour. I am not sure if it is true or not, but allegedly they put the warrior´s shield on his grave, when he died.)