1969.29.3

Collection type

Object

Description

Shield of hide. Elliptical in shape with a supporting stick woven through the underside of the hide, the stick also acts as a handle. [AB [OPS Move] 17/8/2016]

Long description

Shield of hide. Elliptical in shape with a supporting stick woven through the underside of the hide, the stick also acts as a handle. The front of the hide is white and brown and incised with rectangular shapes with hide woven through. [AB [OPS Move] 17/8/2016]

Geographical reference

South Africa

Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa

Cultural groups

Zulu

Person

Field collector Morland family

PRM source Abingdon Museum

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1969

Date collected

By 1969

Acquisition information

Transferred: 1969

Materials and processes

Material Animal Hide Skin, Material Wood Plant, Process Incised, Process Woven, Process Cutwork

Dimensions

Length: max 766 mm, Height: max 53 mm, Width: max 492 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1969.29.3

Research and responses

Zulu shields were made by a specialist shield-maker. The first stage in its manufacture was skinning a cow (only two shields could be made from one skin – making them very expensive) and pegging the skin out in the sun to dry. Then the skin was buried in acidic kraal manure for two days, pounded with stones, and washed it in the soapy lather of the Incukudwane lily. Then it was cut to shape, mounted on the long vertical supporting pole behind, and finally greased with cattle fat or brains. Two distinctive columns of horizontal slashes appear on Zulu shields, which allow two long strips of leather to be woven in and out – giving the central part of the shield a double thickness. In traditional Zulu thinking, the skin and hair of an animal are traditionally understood to ‘remember’ something of the animal’s power and life-essence (uloya). Animal furs, hairs and skins are consequently very important in formal Zulu dress – unlike woven cloth, which is viewed as lifeless. Like many southern and eastern African peoples, the Zulu were traditionally cattle pastoralists. Relevant Reading: Morris, D.R. (1965) The Washing of the Spears. London: Sphere Books Ltd. Spring, C. (1993) African Arms & Armour. London: British Museum Press. Papini, R. (1996) Some Zulu Uses for the Animal Domains. In: Zulu Treasures: Of Kings & Commoners. Natal: KwaZulu Cultural Museum. Knight, I. (1999) Great Zulu Commanders. London: Arms & Armour Press. Research Conducted for DCF Cutting Edge 2006/2007 [AM].

Search terms: Weapon, Shield