African Tribal Spear Tips

[Bravo Six]

I was hoping someone better versed than I could give me some insight. I got some Zulus from Black Tree in the bargain bin a while back and just got around to painting them. They seem armed with short spear type weapons and I was wondering what the tips of these would be made from, so I could better decide on a color scheme for them.

Thanks in advance for any help.

-Todd

[Plynkes]

Iron. Yeah, I'm pretty sure they would be iron, but I'll go look it up to be sure.

[Lowtardog]

Hello Bravo,

Short spear...short spear,,, :wink:

that sir, is the famous Assegi invented by Shaka Zulu. Finely caste from steel though the original used by sShaka was said to have been made fomr a meteorite

[zbyshko]

look here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assegai for a short discourse and a modern picture of a soldier with one shouldered - noce metal spearhead

ralph

[Hammers]

Iron, certainly. Whether cast or not I do not know. I would have guessed forged.

Anyhoo, I had my fiancee purchase one for me when she was in Tanzania (or Tanganyika or German East Africa as it propably is better know as on this forum ;-) )a few months back.

H

[Bravo Six]

Thanks fellas.

-Todd

[dadlamassu]

The weapon is the Iklwa (assegai).  The name allegedly comes from the sound it makes as it is withdrawn from thebody of the enemy.

If you can, get a copy of the 4 DVDs of "Shaka Zulu".  This shows the whole Shaka legend and the forging of the first Iklwa for the price of a goat.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SHAKA-ZULU-COLLECTABLE-BOXSET-4-DISC_W0QQitemZ300109207850QQihZ020QQcategoryZ41521QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Worth looking at if you can get them.

[Plynkes]

Also worth it for all the bare boobs.

(If you like that kind of thing.)


Good theme tune, too. I have the DVD boxed set.

[Lowtardog]

Avoid Shaka 2 though with Grace Jones in it...though it might be worth the pulp value