Zulu war axe for discussion

kronckew · 12th July 2015, 10:29 PM

for discussion & comment. just won/bought this one thru ebay.

An addition for the kwaZulu/Shona wing of my castle armoury:

Overall Length approx. 33.25 in./84.5 cm.
The head is approx. 8 in./20 cms from tip to tip.

i gather that Shaka had banned isizenze as he wanted to standardize his impis on the iklwa. they became a ceremonial badge as noted elsewhere here, can this be late 17c to early 18th c. pre, early shaka period?

this one has an hammered iron/steel re-enforcing collar and has the through end peened over rather than just bent. seems a substantial blade and haft tho in need of some TLC. appears to be a weapon rather than just ceremonial & possibly old.

any further comments appreciated, and thanks in advance.

12th July 2015, 10:29 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	Zulu war axe for discussion for discussion & comment. just won/bought this one thru ebay. An addition for the kwaZulu/Shona wing of my castle armoury: Overall Length approx. 33.25 in./84.5 cm. The head is approx. 8 in./20 cms from tip to tip. i gather that Shaka had banned isizenze as he wanted to standardize his impis on the iklwa. they became a ceremonial badge as noted elsewhere here, can this be late 17c to early 18th c. pre, early shaka period? this one has an hammered iron/steel re-enforcing collar and has the through end peened over rather than just bent. seems a substantial blade and haft tho in need of some TLC. appears to be a weapon rather than just ceremonial & possibly old. any further comments appreciated, and thanks in advance. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 12th July 2015 at 10:48 PM.