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1937.38.1

Black and white cow hide shield used at weddings. [SM 14/03/2007]

On display

1937.38.1

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Collection type
Object
Description
Black and white cow hide shield used at weddings. [SM 14/03/2007]
Long description
Black and white cow hide shield used at weddings. The shield has a stick with a tapered end attached to the back of the shield with two animal hide triangles. The top of the stick is covered with wild cat fur. The handle is made of plaited animal hide. [SM 14/03/2007]
Geographical reference
South Africa
Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa
Hluhluwe Reserve
Cultural groups
Zulu
Person
Field collector Antoinette Powell-Cotton
PRM source Antoinette Powell-Cotton
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1935
Date collected
1935
Acquisition information
Donated: 1937
Materials and processes
Material Cattle Skin Animal, Material Cat Tail Animal, Material Wood Plant, Material Animal Hide Skin, Process Plaited
Dimensions
Length: max 720 mm, Width: max 300 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1937.38.1 Other numbers: (550) next to entry in the accession book
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, Marriage, Ritual and Ceremonial, Shield