The Importance of Zulu Shields to African Society

No longer just used in battle situations, Zulu shields are used throughout the culture’s ceremonial traditions. Zulu shields are used throughout Zulu societies in southern Africa. There are about 9 million Zulu peoples, making them the largest ethnic group in the region (Stead, 2017). Although the ritual shields used by the Zulu warriors likely trace back centuries, records only date their use as far back as King Shaka Zulu (Stead, 2017). The use of similar ritualistic battle shields is common throughout other African societies including the Bantu, the Matabele, and the Amangwane (Tylden, 1946). Therefore, the Zulu shield lends insight into the culture, worldviews, religions, and art forms of various African peoples both before and after colonization.
Creating, designing, and using Zulu shields is a specialized art form undertaken with ceremonial and usually sacred intent, too. Originally, the shields were used primarily in battle situations, and their different colors and shapes indicated both the status of the wearer and the battle situation that was being faced (Stead, 2017). The materials most predominantly used include cowhide or oxhide. Some records suggest that the ritual killing of the ox or cow would be done in a way that ensured the skin was taken while the animal was still alive (Tylden, 1946). Although arguably a cruel method of extracting the hide from the animal, the pain and suffering would undoubtedly be built into the ritualistic process of forming a shield that was inherently designed to be used in battle scenarios, in which pain, suffering, life, and death would all be part.
After the ritual killing of the animal, the leather specialist would remove the hide, peg it flat and stretched, and then dry it in the sun for several days (“Zulu Shield,” n.d.). After the hide had been dried, the shield crafter will then bury the shield under a pile of manure for several days to cure the leather (“Zulu Shield,” n.d.). After curing, the hide is then pounded with stones to even its surface and prepare it for artisan design (“Zulu Shield,” n.d.).
Typically the leather is shaped into an elongated oval or egg shape, cut out from the original piece of hide, and then fastened with a central support stick. The size of the shield was supposed to be as long as the space between the user’s chin to his feet (Tylden, 1946). The resulting length would have been around five feet long. According to Stead (2017), these full-body shields are known as Isihlangu, and were the original shapes used by King Shaka Zulu. Leather loops were used to fasten the shield to the central pole, while additional supports were also cut and fastened to provide stability and thicken the overall design. The internal sticks also allowed the user to rest the stick on the ground while in battle.
According to Stead (2017), there are five main types of Zulu shield, each of which may be used during specific occasions. In addition to the long Isihlangu shield, the Zulu also created smaller battle shields that could be held in one hand, freeing up the other hand for attacks (Stead, 2017). There were also shields that were weapons unto themselves, used to stab opponents as well as to protect their warrior wearer (“Zulu Shield,” n.d.). In this sense, the Zulu shield reveals much about Zulu warfare and tactics. Special shields used for ritual courtships and dancing are also on record as being integral to Zulu societies, showing how important power, energy, and warrior spirit are to every aspect of the culture.
Shields serve more than just their practical purposes in battle. The shields are believed to be imbued with protective powers, magical or spiritual in nature. Herbs may be applied to the shield to enhance its protective powers. Moreover, the ways the original cowhide was colored played a major role in the status of the shield. The original Zulu shield used by King Shaka Zulu was white with a black dot, not necessarily from paint but from the cow’s original coloring (Tylden, 1946). Zulu shields are more than just weaponry; they are symbolic windows into the heart and soul of southern African culture and society.



References

Stead, R. (2017). History of the Zulu shield. Retrieved online: http://www.africancraftsmarket.com/history-of-the-zulu-shield.html
Tylden, G. (1946). Bantu shields. The South African Archaeological Bulletin 1(2): 33-37.
“Zulu Shield,” (n.d.). Arms and Armour. Retrieved online: http://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/weapons/index.php/tour-by-region/oceania/africa/arms-and-armour-africa-32/