Xhosa Traditional Weapons

Xhosa Knobkerrie - Xhosa Spear - Xhosa Battle Axe

Fingo - Gcaleka -  Pondo - Thembu - Xhosa

The Xhosa and related tribal peoples used three sorts of weapons. (Knobkerrie - Spear - Axe) This rarely seen trio are fine examples of each. They were collected near Libode in the Eastern Cape during the 1950's. Libode is situated between Umtata and Port St. Johns in Pondoland. Pondo, Xhosa, Gcaleka and Thembu people live in the area.

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The hilt of the hatchet and knobkerrie have cross cut decorations. (above left) These decorations add to the objects grip. Beaded dance sticks from the area often have the same markings, as did early collected Koi - San articles. At the base of the knobkerry is a casing from an old ACME Siren stamped Made in England.

 

The battle axe or hatchet's iron portion was African wrought. It is styled after the very much related trade blades, traded into the area and the Americas throughout the 19th century. The spear or assegai is hand forged and bound with animal hide in the manner of  the Zulu. The knobkerrie's head is defined with incise lines and likely dates to circa 1900.

 

 

Zulu Battle Axe / Circa 1920's 

isizenze or imbemba

A fine and rarely seen example of an early collected Zulu battle axe. The blade resembles those found amongst the Swazi, but the longer top blade, stylistically demarcates this to nearby Zululand proper.

Drawings found in; The Zulu Battle Axe - Tim Maggs - Natal Museum

Battle axes depicted in Southern African Rock Paintings

Battle Axes in Museum Collections

Note the similarity to axe (1) above, to the one which follows. The example above was collected at Eshowe between 1884 and 1885, to the one.

Zulu - Tsonga Battle Axe

19th Century

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This finely wired battle axe was rediscovered in Australia.  It most likely sailed there during the time of  "tall ships". 

 

 

 

 

The Victorian blade was manufactured by Sheffield as a chopper.

 

 

Double Sided Axe - Spear

Shona - Karanga Related

This circa 1900 ceremonial spear includes a double sided axe, the spear blade centrally positioned between the two blades. This design concept was likely Portuguese inspired, after Vasco da Gama's arrival in the late 15th century. 

The fabulous ceremonial object has four sections of detailed wirework. Central to the fine decoration is the area between the three blades. The use of darker wood in Shona - Karanga objects usually indicates Mozambique costal origin.

Ovambo Double Dagger
 

Circa 1900

Expertly Restored and Mounted - Early Collected

Double examples like this are exceedingly rare.

Personal knives of Ovambo men are called “omukonda”. They were  made in various lengths and usually from the wood of the monkey guava tree called Omuandi or Omwandi.

These objects are unique and comparatively restricted to use in a small area. One can find examples of origin from Etosha in the south, Humbe and the Ovamouilla to the west, the Ovaloplolo or Ovamoilla to the north west, the Uukuanyama to the north, the Ovakuangari to the east and downstream to the Mambukushu. P. MÖLLER / 1899, JOURNEY IN AFRICA THROUGH ANGOLA, OVAMPOLAND AND DAMARALAND pgs 47, 48

MÖLLER writes: It should be added that the natives always go round armed to the teeth, even in their villages and among the huts. They barter their weapons from native traders from the tribes in Ovampoland, where there is iron that is worked by the natives. P. MÖLLER / 1899, JOURNEY IN AFRICA THROUGH ANGOLA, OVAMPOLAND AND DAMARALAND pgs 90, 91