Weapons and shields Impi

zulu warrior armed iklwa stabbing spear (assegai) , iwisa club (knobkerrie). kilt of genet tails



ready war ; zulu ; zulu policemen

shaka credited introducing new variant of traditional weapon, demoting long, spindly throwing spear in favour of heavy-bladed, short-shafted stabbing spear. said have introduced larger, heavier cowhide shield (isihlangu), , trained forces close enemy in more effective hand-to-hand combat. throwing spear not discarded, standardised stabbing implement , carried missile weapon, typically discharged @ foe, before close contact. these weapons changes integrated , facilitated aggressive mobility , tactical organisation.

as weapons, zulu warrior carried iklwa stabbing spear (losing 1 result in execution) , club or cudgel fashioned dense hardwood known in zulu iwisa, called knobkerrie in english, beating enemy in manner of mace. zulu officers carried zulu axe, weapon more of symbol show rank. iklwa – named because of sucking sound made when withdrawn human body – long (c. 25 cm [9.4 in]) , broad blade invention of shaka superseded older thrown ipapa (so named because of pa-pa sound made flew through air). theoretically used both in melee , thrown weapon, warriors forbidden in shaka s day throwing it, disarm them , give opponents throw back. moreover, shaka felt discouraged warriors closing hand-to-hand combat. shaka s brother, , successor, dingane reintroduced greater use of throwing spear, perhaps counter boer firearms.

as shaka s reign small numbers of firearms, obsolete muskets , rifles, obtained zulus europeans trade. in aftermath of defeat of british @ battle of isandlwana many martini-henry rifles captured zulus considerable amounts of ammunition. advantage of capture debatable due alleged tendency of zulu warriors close eyes when firing such weapons. possession of firearms did little change zulu tactics, continued rely on swift approach enemy bring him close combat.

all warriors carried shield made of oxhide, retained hair, central stiffening shaft of wood, mgobo. shields property of king; stored in specialised structures, raised off ground protection vermin, when not issued relevant regiment. large isihlangu shield of shaka s day 5 feet in length , later partially replaced smaller umbumbuluzo, shield of identical manufacture around 3 , half feet in length. close combat relied on co-ordinated use of iklwa , shield. warrior sought edge of shield behind edge of enemy s, pull enemy s shield side opening him thrust iklwa deep abdomen or chest.