"Hadendowah shields" Topic

Exclusively, the round, hippo-hide ones or were wicker used as well?

This set:
link
The commentary pours scorn on the latter shields.

I'd reconciled myself to cutting off the wicker shields & finding something suitably round & hippo-ish to glue on seeing the wicker shields were wrong but I then saw an Osprey illustration with a Beja carrying the elongated wicker shield. I looked on the net & *seemed* to find further confirmation.

What do the Brain's Trust here think?

I would take the Osprey on the Sudan with a very large pinch of salt. For instance the Hadendowah figure is depicted with jibba-like coloured patches on his trousers which definitely is a No-No.

My understanding is that the wicker shields were only carried by some riverine arabs, not the usual Ansar, so I would think not by the
Hadendowah. Indeed, not long into the 1884 campaign, I understand that they had started shaving their heads and adopted the jibba. However, I wouldn't let facts get in the way of fielding them as fuzzy-wuzzies at all times: damn fine looking warriors to give a bit of variety.

Agree on the early Osprey.

All round shield for my Fuzzy Wuzzies and they need their wild hair.

I do have one 20 man unit (of three) of Ja'aliyin Arabs with the oval/elliptical shield.

Ian Knight's later Osprey volume "Queen Victoria's Enemies: Northern Africa" has better information and illustrations.

I would add anyone with a RalPartha Sudan collection most likely has a boat load of old shields (both round and oval) sitting around.

Oh yeah.

The elliptical shield was carried by Riverine Arabs and the round shield was carried by the Hadendowah.