By 1835 it is said to have been discarded by the Xhosa in their conflicts with Europeans. When lions and leopards were exterminated by firearms, it also lost its usefulness in hunting. Its use went in decline when firearms were introduced to hostilities. During consultation of a diviner they were beaten like drums. They were also used during dancing routines, at weddings or as a screen at a bridal procession. When a king was sitting in the open, his subordinates would hold one or several shields over him to shade him from the sun. It was used as protection against the weather, or as bivouac shelters when the Xhosa or Fengu armies camped out. King Dingane's general Bongoza advised his warriors to hide behind shields and imitate grazing cattle, in which way they lured Boer commandos into valleys and into striking distance. : 124–125 Likewise the vanquished enemy at times took up Zulu shields to hide their identity until they could make their escape. Shields could also be used to confuse the enemy the Zulu army used the shields of their enemies to disguise themselves, and cause bewilderment among enemy ranks. The midiam shield (ihawu) was used for dancing. King Shaka's warriors bashed their opponents with the shield to knock them off balance, or alternatively used it to hook the opponents shield away, to enable a stab with the assegai. Its primary function was to deflect spears, assegais or Khoisan arrows, but they were also carried during lion or leopard hunts. Its use was practiced from boyhood, by means of stick fighting. : 29 Traditional use Ī shield was carried in the left hand, as the only piece of defensive armour used by the Nguni. : 318 The igqoka is a small, neat shield for courting, and the igabelomunye is the smallest decorative shield, which may be used as an accessory to dancing. The ihawu is a small to medium-sized shield used at dances. The ihubelo is a large shield used for hunting, smaller than isihlangu, but larger than the ihawu. They were easily held in one hand, and were used in 1856 during Cetshwayo's campaign against Mbulazi. : 29–30 The umbumbuluzo was also a war shield, but only 3.5 feet (1.1 m) in length, and more sturdy than the isihlangu. : 29–30 It was king Shaka's shield of choice, and he intended his warriors to use it in an offensive way by hooking the opponent's shield during hand-to-hand fighting. The large war shield, of about 5 feet (1.5 m) in length, is known as an isihlangu, which means "to brush aside". True Nguni shields are made of raw cattle hide, as the esteemed Sanga- Nguni cattle lend distinction to the shields, which are more than mere commodities for physical protection.Īmongst the Zulus, there are various named varieties of these shields, each with a specific use. War shields were traditionally stockpiled by a chief or king, to whom they belonged, while a smaller shield was reserved for his subordinates' personal daily use, or as a complement at their dancing ceremonies. Strictly speaking these native names denote shields of different application, and additional types are known by other names. A cow-hide shield is known as isihlangu, ihawu or ingubha in Zulu, and ikhaka or ikhawu in Xhosa. Currently it is used by diviners or for ceremonial and symbolic purposes, and many are produced for the tourist market. ikhawu with staff 127 cm and hide 108 cm, 1948, Mount FrereĪ Nguni shield is a traditional, pointed oval-shaped, ox or cowhide shield which is used by various ethnic groups among the Nguni people of southern Africa. An early, blunt oval-shaped Xhosa shield, c.1805 Retainer of chief, with shield, 1870s, Queenstown ikhawu with staff 117 cm and hide 95 cm, 1935, Lusikisiki
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