"Zulu War (1879) Shield design query?" Topic
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Action Log
19 Nov 2008 9:51 a.m. PST
by Editor in Chief Bill
- Changed title from "Zulu War (1879) Shield design querry?" to "Zulu War (1879) Shield design query?"
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| AuttieCat | 19 Nov 2008 9:12 a.m. PST |
TMPer's,
Here are my two questions:
1. Looking through the book ZULU WAR, by Ian Knight and Ian Castle, I understand that the newer-recruited amabutho/ ibutho being issued shields in darker colors (usally black) and the older/veteran regiments having lighter colored shields (white being the highest 'veteran color). I also understand that the shields were property of the king or regiment and not the individual warrior. Hence all shields of a amabutho were of the same color scheme. What I would like to know is:
a). How was the commander (izinduna) of one of these new amabutho's selected for this assignment? and What was the shield coloring scheme of that commander? Would it be the same as the newly-raised regiment he was now commanding or would it be white or some other lighter color (indicating veteran status)?
Thanks much for any help~TomS. |
 ageofglory  | 19 Nov 2008 11:16 a.m. PST |
Check out the Empress site for some additional information on Zulu shields – link Also note that some regiments, such as the iNgobamakhosi ("Bender of Kings") carried multiple patterns due to their large size. I just picked up Anatomy of the Zulu Army by Knight at Fall-In, so I will check it for information on selection of commanders tonight. Steve
Age of Glory |
| AuttieCat | 19 Nov 2008 11:28 a.m. PST |
Steve,
Thanks for the above information and link. However, what I still would like to know is---Would the commander of the regiment carry a shield in a design pattern of the rest of his regiment or would he carry a shield of another pattern?
Tom Semian (AuttieCat)
Avalon, PA. 15202 |
| ageofglory | 19 Nov 2008 7:22 p.m. PST |
Tom, I didn't see anything specific on this, but Knight does mention the prode of a Zulu regiment in its own particular shield pattern, and that for a member of another group to carry one would have been considered an insult. Induna might be selected from notable warriors of other veteran regiments, favorites of the king, or hereditary leaders of the pre-Shaka tribal groups that still held sway with the king in Cetshwayo's day. It seems likely that regardless of their origin, the indunas would have adopted their new unit's badge of distinction. |
| AuttieCat | 19 Nov 2008 8:24 p.m. PST |
Steve,
Actually, that is what I also have been thinking! If nobody presents some evidence otherwise---That is exactly what I plan to do.
TomS.
ps. I hope that Fall-In was good for you! |
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