Mobility.2C training and insignia Impi

zulu warrior in full regimental regalia, carrying large isihlangu war shield. c. 1860. upper body covered in cow tails, kilt of spotted cat, genet or civet skin , shins decorated cowtails. elaborate headdress consists of browband , face-framing flaps of leopard skin band of otter skin above. there multiple ostrich feather plumes , single upright crane s feather.

shaka discarded sandals enable warriors run faster. move unpopular, objected killed, practice concentrated minds of remaining personnel. zulu tradition indicates shaka hardened feet of troops having them stamp thorny tree , bush branches flat. shaka drilled troops frequently, implementing forced marches covering more fifty miles day. drilled troops carry out encirclement tactics (see below). such mobility gave zulu significant impact in local region , beyond. upkeep of regimental system , training seems have continued after shaka s death, although zulu defeats boers, , growing encroachment british colonists, sharply curtailed raiding operations prior war of 1879. morris (1965, 1982) records 1 such mission under king mpande give green warriors of uthulwana regiment experience: raid swaziland, dubbed fund uthulwana zulu, or teach uthulwana .

impi warriors trained age six, joining army udibi porters @ first, being enrolled same-age groups (intanga). until buta d, zulu boys accompanied fathers , brothers on campaign servants. eventually, go nearest ikhanda kleza (literally, drink directly udder ), @ time boys become inkwebane, cadets. spend time training until formally enlisted king. challenge each other stick fights, had accepted on pain of dishonor.

in shaka s day, warriors wore elaborate plumes , cow tail regalia in battle, anglo-zulu war of 1879, many warriors wore loin cloth , minimal form of headdress. later period zulu soldier went battle relatively dressed, painting upper body , face chalk , red ochre, despite popular conception of elaborately panoplied warriors. each ibutho had singular arrangement of headdress , other adornments, zulu army said have had regimental uniforms; latterly full-dress worn on festive occasions. men of senior regiments wear, in addition other headdress, head-ring (isicoco) denoting married state. gradation of shield colour found, junior regiments having largely dark shields more senior ones having shields more light colouring; shaka s personal regiment fasimba (the haze) having white shields small patch of darker colour. shield uniformity facilitated custom of separating king s cattle herds based on coat colours.

certain adornments awarded individual warriors conspicuous courage in action; these included type of heavy brass arm-ring (ingxotha) , intricate necklace composed of interlocking wooden pegs (iziqu).