Zulu Iklwa Spear
Zulu Iklwa Stabbing Spear
Zulu Nation
Zulu Kingdom - Boer Republic - Cololony of Natal (South Africa)
Last half 19th century (ca. 1870s)
Iron, wood, vegetal fiber, reptile skin (snake)
Blade: 33,7cm
Total Length: 147,6cm
Collection Date: 2024
Collection Number: 429
A very good stabbing spear from the Zulu Kingdom. The double- edged leaf- shaped iron blade has a slightly raised center, tapering to a point. Wooden shaft with cane binding. Flared end with snake skin wrappings. A small, light weight, and nicely balanced older spear, complete. Slightly longer but missing the socket indicating that it was meant for stabbing rather than throwing. Likely from the 1870s Anglo- Zulu War era.
Photograph 8: Zulu Warrior, summer 1853, South Africa. By Nicolaas Henneman (Dutch, Heemskerk 1813 - 1898 London).