Swazi Shields
Lihawu - Sihlangu
By Gordon Crawford
The
Swazi war shield is typically Nguni in design. It is distinctly rounded
compared to the Zulu, Ngoni Shangaan and Matabele shields, which are
elongated. The "lihawu" or "sihlangu" consists of a spherical ox hide
that is slightly pointed at the top and bottom. It is usually wider than
a man's shoulders. A wooden shaft or "mgobo" is affixed to this hide by
broad rawhide strips. These trips are threaded through numerous short
horizontal cuts in the ox hide. It is these horizontal cuts and strip
that give Nguni shields their characteristic pattern of narrow
alternating bands.
con't.
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A
striking complete Swazi shield from the Inkanyete regiment.
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Pompoms made from 100's
of feathers obtained from the Lyre Tailed Roller adorn the hide.
Continued - by Gordon
Crawford
One of
these rawhide strips forms the off-centre handle by protruding slightly.
This handle is carried in the left hand so that the shield can protect
the entire body, leaving the right hand free for fighting. The shaft is
twice the length of the ox hide, and functions as reinforcing to the
shield along with the rawhide strips. Attached to the lower end of the
shaft is a decorative pompom of feathers or "dada" and called "injobo".
A second feather pompom is attached to the right lower part of the ox
hide. The top of the shaft has a short sheath of spotted genet skin that
is about three fingers wide. This genet skin is cut in a strip and
wrapped around the shaft. It is then held in position at each end by a
circlet of string that is sewn onto the shaft and held by threading
through a hole in the shaft. All traditional Nguni shields have genet
skin wrapped around the top of the stick.
con't.
Sobhuza Paramount Chief
Swazi Warrior
Photographs -
The Ivy's Albums - Circa 1920's
Continued - by Gordon
Crawford
A third
decorative feather pompom or animal skin ball "inhlangu" is loosely tied
above the genet cat skin. The animal skin used on the "inhlangu"
indicates membership to a particular regiment. The "Balondolozi" or "Masotja"
regiment has jackal skin. The "Inkanyete" regiment uses simango monkey
skin and the "Inyatsi regiment has baboon skin.
The
colors of the cow skin used in the shield also indicate the owner's
membership in a particular regiment. The "Balondonlozi" / "Masotja"
regiment uses a white shield with small black speckles. The "Inkanyete"
regiment has a two-tone shield of black and white. Finally the "Inyatsi"
regiment has a white shield with red/brown spots. This color code
however seems to be falling away, and some young members of traditional
regiments are not even aware of it.
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This is the third Swazi
shield Galerie Ezakwantu has to offer. It is also from the from the
Inyatsi, or buffalo regiment. Click the thumbs above to view it's
reverse side.
A shield appears on
Swaziland's national flag, complete with pompoms.
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