Shields of the Zulu amabutho 1879

[smokie gunner]

Hi all.
I've been working on a comprehensive shield guide for over 12 years (the date of my first draft), piecing together information gleaned from numerous sources, including Ian Knight, who has been very helpful and encouraging.  Ryman1's contribution inspired me to make a final revision, adding two more shield patterns and captions indicating those regiments which were incorporated into others.  I had intended to release it with the rule set that I've been working on but feel it may be of more use to others now (as I may never feel the rules are ready for publication - I'm not a perfectionist, no, not me!)  I tried to contact Ryman first to ask for his blessing (I'm a Canadian and don't want to offend, eh?) but, as he is not in the loop as of late, I asked Leon, who encouraged me to post it.
I hope this is of use to some of you.

Cheers,
Rob

[smokie gunner]

If you are old and dim of sight as I am, you need to click on the little link to view the PDF.

Rob 

[smokie gunner]

For those of you who are visiting I'm attaching another version.

Rob 

[Hertsblue]

Impressive collection, Rob, and well presented.

[Techno]

Lovely stuff, Rob !
Cheers - Phil

[smokie gunner]

Thanks for your kind replies, gents.

The list is arranged by seniority, the most aged warriors being first.
The men of the amaKwenkwe ibutho were veterans of Shaka's wars and 77 years old on the eve of the British invasion.
Regardless of their vintage, some fought at Ulundi (oNdini) in defence of the royal kraal.
The youngest of the married regiments (amabutho) were the uDloko, who weighed in at 45!
The most senior regiments, such as the imiKulutshane, who fought at Isandlwana, had no more than "a handful" of warriors, probably indicating a strength of 200 to 500 at most.
The iSanqu had more, at about 1,000 men.  In general, the older the regiment, the fewer the warriors.  However, often a senior regiment would have a younger one incorporated to keep the numbers up.  Also, the huge younger regiments were often composed of a number of sections, kind of sub-regiments within the larger grouping.  This was because of logistics and region, I suppose, as they were composed of a common age group (born in the same year) and it would be hard to accommodate as many as 6,000 men in one kraal.  This meant that the sections developed their own identity, had their own shields from the royal herds, and when reported on in battles were individually named.  That is why the regiments listed in British compiled sources seem to contradict each other.  You'll notice that my list has four sections identified as incorporated into the uKhandempemvu (uMcijo) and six shield patterns.  This gives you an inkling of the complexity.  Furthermore, the patterns indicate a general appearance, not a specific appearance as they are taken from cow hides.  Some would be a mirror image and others would have the general ratio and configuration of specific colours.  To the European military eye this was not uniform but to the proud herdsmen of the Zulu nation, accustomed to the finer points of cattle breeding, they were well matched.
Hope this helps.

Rob 

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Brilliant facts, love the descriptions too.

Got anything in blue?

[smokie gunner]

Anything for you, mad lemmey!

Rob 

[FierceKitty]

After the shock of finding that Thracian shields had smiley faces, what's a blue Zulu?

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Thanks Rob! 
That will confuse the rivet counters!

[Hertsblue]

After the shock of finding that Thracian shields had smiley faces, what's a blue Zulu?

A Martian?

[Ace of Spades]

A Martian?

I thought Martians were green....?

[FierceKitty]

Looks as if they have race issues there too.

[Ace of Spades]

Looks as if they have race issues there too.

Hey, we Martians are only human!

Cheers,
Rob