Zulu spear

kronckew · 11th March 2018, 06:54 PM

Looks appropriate for the Zulu throwing spear, Shaka stopped the use of throwing spears as their primary weapon, but they, like the romans, used them to soften up the enemy just before contact, when they used their ikl'wa (stabbing spears) or iwisa (knobkerry clubs). the throwing spears had shorter blades, longer tangs, and longer thinner shafts, but invariably had the pinch notches at the blade/tang junction. bindings were wire or fibre, or leather thongs, or de-gloved cattle/goat tail skin which was applied wet & shrank tight. Being the top dogs in the area, the subordinate conquered tribes from a wide area, like the shona, supplied their tools and weapons as tribute, so there is some variances. (age is really hard to tell)

p.s.- they NEVER used socketed spear heads.

My best ikl'wa for comparison:

Battara · 11th March 2018, 08:38 PM

I could be wrong but I was thinking that what you have is an assegai and what Kronckew showed is a proper iklwa.

kronckew · 11th March 2018, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I could be wrong but I was thinking that what you have is an assegai and what Kronckew showed is a proper iklwa.

the term assegai could be applied to his throwing spear, see also this

wiki definition

Kmaddock · 11th March 2018, 09:14 PM

Thanks for info.

It looks like the metal has been pinched inwards.
Is this part of the manafacture process?

Lovely balance and feel to the spear.

Regards
Ken

kronckew · 11th March 2018, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kmaddock

...
It looks like the metal has been pinched inwards.
Is this part of the manafacture process?
...

I'm not sure, seems unique to the Zulu spears, their tanged axes don't have the pinch, but all their spears do, and other tribes do not have it. As i mentioned, other tribes made weapons for them, so they only seem to have pinched the zulu ones. Maybe a mark to differentiate them as intended for the zulu, like the british broad arrow. Maybe someone else knows more.

Kmaddock · 11th March 2018, 11:18 PM

Thanks for the confirmation Kronckew
I guess it is a handy identification mark for collectors to have a ISO mark on Zulu Spears

I know as you stated in your initial reply African weaponry is difficult to date but do you think it might be of Victorian period? Or at least sytle to that period
Regards
Ken

kronckew · 11th March 2018, 11:38 PM

'Victorian' covers almost the entire 19c, so that would probably be safe. The wood, binding and steel patina looks consistent with that to me too. because of the UK's invasion of the KwaZulu nation in the latter half of the era, and the war with the Boers, a lot of souvenirs from there were brought back to the UK.

11th March 2018, 06:54 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	Looks appropriate for the Zulu throwing spear, Shaka stopped the use of throwing spears as their primary weapon, but they, like the romans, used them to soften up the enemy just before contact, when they used their ikl'wa (stabbing spears) or iwisa (knobkerry clubs). the throwing spears had shorter blades, longer tangs, and longer thinner shafts, but invariably had the pinch notches at the blade/tang junction. bindings were wire or fibre, or leather thongs, or de-gloved cattle/goat tail skin which was applied wet & shrank tight. Being the top dogs in the area, the subordinate conquered tribes from a wide area, like the shona, supplied their tools and weapons as tribute, so there is some variances. (age is really hard to tell) p.s.- they NEVER used socketed spear heads. My best ikl'wa for comparison: Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 11th March 2018 at 09:06 PM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11th March 2018, 08:38 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I could be wrong but I was thinking that what you have is an assegai and what Kronckew showed is a proper iklwa.

11th March 2018, 09:14 PM	#4
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Thanks for info. It looks like the metal has been pinched inwards. Is this part of the manafacture process? Lovely balance and feel to the spear. Regards Ken

11th March 2018, 11:18 PM	#6
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Thanks for the confirmation Kronckew I guess it is a handy identification mark for collectors to have a ISO mark on Zulu Spears I know as you stated in your initial reply African weaponry is difficult to date but do you think it might be of Victorian period? Or at least sytle to that period Regards Ken

11th March 2018, 11:38 PM	#7
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	'Victorian' covers almost the entire 19c, so that would probably be safe. The wood, binding and steel patina looks consistent with that to me too. because of the UK's invasion of the KwaZulu nation in the latter half of the era, and the war with the Boers, a lot of souvenirs from there were brought back to the UK.