One aspect of the anglo-Zulu war of 1879 that’s always fascinated me is Shields. They were a big part of Zulu tactical doctrine but also had deeper meanings, both on and off the battlefield.
Ian Knight, co-curator of the Clash of Empires Exhibition, and expert of all things Anglo-Zulu war, explains more in the video below. If videos aren’t your cup of tea, then an edited version of the transcript is at the bottom.
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Ian Knight:
Zulu shields were always a hugely important part of Zulu material culture and obviously very much of military life. In my opinion, it’s probably even more than the spear, the single most iconic representation of the old Zulu military system. Because so much hangs on the Shield and what it represented, in terms of service and loyalty and protection and experience. It is very much the old Zulu Army represented in a physical artifact.
We’ve got 12 original 1879 vintage shields here at the Clash of Empires Exhibition, dating to the time of the Anglo-Zulu war. And then we’ve got one more modern one, which we’ve added in just to show that the story of shields isn’t over, that it still has a modern significance and still is relevant to Zulu culture today.
The shields were taken from the hides of cattle. Every Zulu man in his day would have had one or two personal shields in his hut, so when he goes out on a long journey, or if there’s some problem, he would have shields for his own personal protection. They’re generally called ihawu although there are different names for smaller ones for dancing or courting.
But the big regimental War Shields, which are probably the most iconic feature of the old Zulu Kingdom, are generally known as IzIhlangu. This is a Zulu word that means ‘brush aside’. They were the property of the Zulu king and the king would keep them in Royal homesteads so when a man went up to join his iButho (his regiment), to fight on behalf of the king, then he’d be using one of the king’s Shield.
And the concept of the king’s shield is quite an important part of the whole process. The implication of mutual protection you look after the king when you fight for him with his shield. He looks after you – he shields you from the enemy.
The colour on the front of the hide represents the regiment. So what would happen is that the Zulu Kings would match herds of cattle according to the colour of the hide and then when a new regiment is formed some of those animals would be slaughtered and the hides would be used so all of the men in that regiment then carry shields of that pattern.
When you were a young Warrior, because of course the Zulu regiments were formed of men of a common age, you were issued with a dark shield. Then, as you get older, the colour has more white in it. This is reflective of the hair colour of the warriors. So the grey beards end up with the white shields. So from a Commander’s point of view, if he looks in the distance and he sees black shields he knows they are a young regiment – not much experience but they’re quick and they’re keen. If they’ve all got white shields, then he knows that these guys have been through this before. You are able to make a quick judgement.
The shields were taken from a single piece of hide, they then dry it and prepare it before use. It would certainly catch a thrown spear. A thrown spear wouldn’t go all the way through the shield and if you’re fighting at Close Quarters with it, it would be very difficult to stab through this.
If your enemy is throwing Spears, then you shelter behind it so you’re not much of a target.The you would rush down and get up close and batter your enemy with the shield. And then as he falls backward, you get in underarm with a stabbing spear.
When you’re fighting the British, the problem is that there is no way it will stop a bullet. British firearms of the 1870s had a velocity that was just too great. I suppose it serves some protection value in that when you’re crouched behind it, the guy can’t see his target quite so clearly. Then you’ve got to try to rush down and attack him with it.
Generally the Tactical contest in 1879 is between the British trying to hold the Zulus at arm’s distance so they can shoot them in which case the Zulus haven’t got much to respond to that and the Zulu is trying to get close up where they can use these weapons. And when the Zulus get close up they usually win.
This shield is quite useful against a guy armed with a rifle and a bayonet. The warrior can try to catch his bayonet in his shield and pull it to one side and then he might get in underneath his guard there and stab him.
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