Page 26 - All About History - Issue 19-14

Kings & Queens

HEADDRESS

DRESSEDTOIMPRESS
Zulu kings and warriors wore elaborate headdresses
to identify different regiments in battle. The hair was
stiffened with clay and otter skin was the foundation
for various ostrich, crane and finch plumes. Ear
coverswerefashionedfromjackalormonkey skin.
NECKLACE

THE ZULU BADGE OF HONOUR
Jewellerywasasourceofprideandhonour
forZuluwarriors.Craftedfromanimal
horns and wood, they were bestowed
upon warriors who had shown
skill in battle, with Zulu kings
such as Shaka and Dingane MUSCLES
wearing a necklace of
lion teeth.
THE STRENGTH TO RULE
Thekingwasnotexempt
fromtheZuluwarriormind-
set. Zulu kings commanded
the army personally and were
SPEAR involved in all battles. Physical
strength was of paramount
A THRUST IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION importance to serve as an example
to his warriors, and his fighting
The iklwa was named for
prowess ensured an advantage over
the gruesome sound it made
when removed from victims. rivals as well as would-be assassins
At 60cm (2ft) long, it was among his own people.
shorter than those used
by opponents, but it had
a large 30cm (1ft)-long
blade. The iklwa SHIELD
could be used at close
quarters and was perfect SYMBOL OF PEACE AND PROTECTION
for hand-to-hand combat. Made from cowhide and 150cm (5ft) long,
This weapon was heavily the shield was essential in the Zulu fighting
used as the Zulus technique of hooking the foe’s shield and
started to conquer exposing their ribs. Their colours indicated
other tribes and different regiments: young fighters would carry
develop an empire in black shields while the older warriors would fight
the early-19th century. with white shields. All shields were the property of
the king, and when they were not in use he stored
them in structures specially designed to protect them
from vermin.

LOINCLOTH

MINIMAL COVERAGE FOR THE
MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY Anatomy
Fighting in the hot, humid
African weather, most warriors
would only wear a loincloth of
fashioned from animal skins,
with rare animal skin like
leopard normally reserved
for the king. Zulu warriors
specialised in hand-to-hand
combat, so swift, quick ZULUWARRIORKING
movement was essential. The
lack of heavy armour or bulky
uniforms ensured this.
BAREFEET
MIGHTY ZULU KING DECIMATING
A HARD SOLE FOR A STRONG WARRIOR
The feet of the barefoot Zulu warriors were toughened by forced marches ENEMIES AND EXPANDING HIS TERRITORY,
over hot, stony terrain littered with bush branches and thorns. Some accounts ZULU EMPIRE, 1820
report that Shaka’s marches covered a distance of over 80km (50mi) a day
© Kevin McGivern when they were fighting against other tribes in what is now South Africa.

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