Zulu spear

colin henshaw · 22nd May 2018, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

Did they recruit or form regiments from the vassal tribes?

Hi Wayne

From what I've read ... the Zulu kingdom was just a small clan in the very early 19th century, but under the dynamic leadership of King Shaka, it expanded greatly by both conquest of surrounding peoples and alliances. All males of a certain age within the Zulu Kingdom were required to serve as warriors for a fair period of time, and were more or less a standing army which could be called upon when needed.

I am attaching an illustration from Montague's book "Weapons and Implements of Savage Races" 1921 for interest.

kronckew · 22nd May 2018, 12:45 PM

yes, the TV series 'SHAKA' follow that storyline. Worth watching. Spoiler: He gets assasinated in the end. King Cetshwayo (Zulu war 1879) did better, visiting London and was quite the hit there, returned to kwaZulu and ruled there till he passed in 1884.

The two ik'lwa stabbing spears are on the left, the 2 much longer isijula (light throwers) on the right, with long tangs like roman pila, possibly for the same reason the Romans did it.

King Cetshwayo: (I suspect the photo was flipped horizontally at some point in history. Hankie pocket should be on the left breast.)

22nd May 2018, 12:45 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,259	yes, the TV series 'SHAKA' follow that storyline. Worth watching. Spoiler: He gets assasinated in the end. King Cetshwayo (Zulu war 1879) did better, visiting London and was quite the hit there, returned to kwaZulu and ruled there till he passed in 1884. The two ik'lwa stabbing spears are on the left, the 2 much longer isijula (light throwers) on the right, with long tangs like roman pila, possibly for the same reason the Romans did it. King Cetshwayo: (I suspect the photo was flipped horizontally at some point in history. Hankie pocket should be on the left breast.) Attached Images