The Colonial Painting Expedition - 100 Miniatures

[tom_aargau]

@former user
Thank you for digging....

I could say I was trying to show an Askari in khaki uniform but actually these were the paint colours I had on my desk getting ready to paint some beastmen (which project has now being delayed)

[Plynkes]

I am pretty sure that the native power alliances displayed other means of reminding their foes of the danger, but nothing like a flag or standard.

Because they do not use it themselves that doesn't mean they cannot comprehend it when someone else does. The Arab culture was a presence on the East Coast for many centuries, and it's influence slowly spread inland. Many of the natives gradually adopted parts of the culture. The Arabs carried flags. The locals came to recognise them. Some, such as Buganda, adopted the idea themselves.

so the flags were useful against the other imperialist/colonialist/muslim slave trader (pick the appropriate) powers and less against the tribesmen I was referring to

No, that isn't it at all. For one thing I am talking about the pre-colonial era, so the parties we are talking about are trade caravans, slave raiders and European explorers, not Imperialists or colonialists.


There was much trade in things other than slaves in the pre-colonial era (guns in and ivory out, for example), and a caravan network into the interior. The red flag meant the Sultan's forces, or caravans under his protection. The various peoples of the region over time came to recognise the flags. Bands of slavers who weren't officially affiliated to the Sultan would fly his flag in the hope that the locals might be intimidated by it, or at least have second thoughts about ambushing them for fear of the Sultan's retribution. Yes, the most remote tribes would have no idea what a red flag meant, but many of the peoples of the interior would, especially the ones nearer the trade routes.

This was, at least, the perception of the slavers. It may not have worked, but that was their motivation for carrying the Sultan's flag. In fact it would seem that it could be counter-productive, as I said in my first post. The flag became so associated with slavers that often natives would attack because of it, the very opposite of its intended purpose.

[OSHIROmodels]

Grand Expidition entries so far chaps 

I'm hoping I can get another in before 100 

cheers

James

[H.M.Stanley]

No. 84 The Right Honourable Col. Harry Flashman VC late of the 11th Light Hussars.

"What the devil are you looking at? Flashman is the name. Fetch a man to wash my kit and be damned quick about it me lad ..."

[H.M.Stanley]

[Edit: Dashed bad form of me, what?]

[Plynkes]

One a day, please, people.

[H.M.Stanley]

One a day, please, people.

Sorry, old sausage. Didn't want you to set off without me 

[Sinewgrab]

Hoy!  I didn't realize there was another painting comp going on!  Crikey, I'd better paint somebody!

[Plynkes]

You're cutting it a bit fine, the rate they are coming in at the minute. 

[Valerik]

One a day, please, people.

I trust I'm not too early to have an Askari veteran make his mark on the roster.

No. 85  Masika Kamau, King's Kameroun Rangers






All the same caveats applied to Nathan earlier hold true for Masika as well.

Just more fun!!

I wish I was as pleased with my efforts on the new Hinterland Askaris...
I'm not certain I can get all their lady-like details sorted before the expeditions fills out up.
Interestingly my paintbrushes LIKE their curves, but seem easily distracted, with resulting sloppiness.

You're cutting it a bit fine, the rate they are coming in at the minute.

It would be a damn shame though to depart absent at least one of Mancha's marvelous martial minxes in the column

Valerik

still groping for his paintin' mojo
EDIT Fix th'damn missin' pictures

[Plynkes]

It would be a damn shame though to depart absent at least one of Mancha's marvelous martial minxes in the column

Can't say I'd lose any sleep over it, but we're all entitled to our opinions.

[former user]

gorgeous entries!
and thx for the flag lecture, now it makes sense

[Jeff965]

Thanks Plynkes for the info on the flags very interesting to hear the context in which they were carried as well. I'm working on  a standard bearer for my British forces at the moment but my next Arab one will carry a red standard.

[Sinewgrab]

No. 86  Colonel Hermann von Notmifalt



I have no idea where this figure came from, but I have had him sitting in my 'to finish' pile until this morning, when I finally finished him after I found this painting expedition.

[d phipps]

Nice entries, Stanley, Valerik, and Sinewgrab! 


No. 87 -- Rutherford Ivvavik




HAVE FUN