Zulu Weaponry – Spears

Unfortunately, Zulu history started when some European got around to writing about it, so their weaponry’s development is lost in the dim distant past. Legend has it that Shaka developed the broad bladed stabbing spear, or iklwa (derived from the sucking sound that it makes when pulled out of your entrails) because throwing the smaller bladed hunting spear or isijula at your enemy and shouting some insults and then going home for a few beers was not a very efficient way to fight a war. However, go out to Zululand and ask anyone if they have an iklwa or an isijula and you simply draw blank stares. To Zulus, all spears are simply imikhonto

So, how does one tell whether a spear is authentic?

Firstly, the blade is made of home-forged steel and is quite malleable and bends easily, but the advantage is that it takes a mean edge. There is always a “nick” in the tang where the craftsman has held the blade in the fire, and the tang is usually rounded. Stabbing spear blades can range from 12” long and upwards (remember it might have started out bigger but has been worn away from constant sharpening) and anything from between an inch to three inches across. Zulus also used heavier bladed spears, called isiphapha, for hunting big game. These blades are generally shorter – say, 8” – 12” long, but at least 2” – 3” wide.

Izijula or throwing spear blades can range anything from 8* or so long (for hunting medium sized game) downwards to 2’’ for hunting birds such as guinea fowl.

Older blades can be bound to the shaft with either ithusi (brass and iron wire woven together in a snake-like pattern), leather cow tail or rattan (cane). Newer spears can be found usually bound by fine plastic-coated electrical wire, copper wire or grass. Newer blades are sometimes made out of modern European steel such as round bar, which has been hammered flat. Obviously the brass-bound spears are by far the most valuable and date back to around the 1860s when brass wire was traded with the Portuguese in Mozambique and it was the King’s prerogative to issue to outstanding warriors as a sign of royal favour.

Broader bladed spears should have a short haft, say 4’ or so long, whereas throwing spears can be double that. But whatever the haft, there is ALWAYS a bulbous end (to stop the hand slipping when withdrawing a blood-covered spear) and older ones will have a good patina such as found on old furniture. Some of the wood used can range from Red Ivory to Natal Olive (more of a creamy colour). Sometimes the shaft has bent with age, but you can easily straighten it by soaking in water overnight and then leaving it in the sun under a heavy object for a week or so. The genuine article is usually stored in the thatch of one’s dwelling, so many of them carry the unmistakable smell of wood smoke.

But you can usually easily tell the real thing. The King gave you your shield, but you had to pay for your own weapon. And if you made a living out of killing people, your spear was always the very best that you could afford. They are deadly works of art.