Very interesting topic. To add a few more African perspectives on "bulletproofing" :-
During the early 20th century "Maji Maji" native uprising in the then German East Africa, African diviners gave their warriors a magic concoction that would (they thought) turn the German bullets into water !
The Ashanti warriors of the 19th century wore smocks covered with many leather pouches filled with talismans, which gave both a magical protection against bullets and some possible actual protection against low velocity black powder projectiles (sometimes bits of metal or stones).
The 19th century warriors of the Sultanate of Bornu used cuirasses made of iron and iron helmets.
For what its worth...
Regards
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