Nguni shield

Various shields of the Xhosa
  • 1. ikhawu with staff 117 cm and hide 95 cm, 1935, Lusikisiki
  • 2. Retainer of chief, with shield, 1870s, Queenstown
  • 3. ikhawu of a diviner, 1948, Mount Frere
  • 4. An early, blunt oval-shaped Xhosa shield, c.1805
  • 5. ikhawu with staff 127 cm and hide 108 cm, 1948, Mount Frere

A Nguni shield is a traditional, pointed oval-shaped, ox or cowhide shield which is used by various ethnic groups among the Nguni people of southern Africa. Currently it is used by diviners or for ceremonial and symbolic purposes,[1] and many are produced for the tourist market.[2] A cow-hide shield is known as isihlangu, ihawu or ingubha in Zulu,[3] and ikhaka or ikhawu in Xhosa.

Strictly speaking these native names denote shields of different application, and additional types are known by other names. War shields were traditionally stockpiled by a chief or king, to whom they belonged, while a smaller shield was reserved for his subordinates' personal daily use, or as a complement at their dancing ceremonies.

True Nguni shields are made of raw cattle hide,[4] as the esteemed Sanga-Nguni cattle lend distinction to the shields, which are more than mere commodities for physical protection.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference shaw was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Telling your Igqoka from Your Isihlangu". Ulwazi blog. The Ulwazi Programme. 6 September 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  3. ^ Dekker, A. M.; Ries, J. H. (1958). Woordeboek / IsiChazimazwi, IsiBhunu - IsiZulu. Afrikaanse Pers-Boekhandel (APB). p. 164.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference wood was invoked but never defined (see the help page).