SHIELD

Object/Artifact

St. Joseph Museums

Name/Title

SHIELD

Entry/Object ID

521/11558

Description

LATTICE DES/TWO TYPES OF ANIMAL SKIN

Collection

ETHNOGRAPHIC/AFRICA

Made/Created

Place

Continent

Africa

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Region

South Africa

Continent

Africa

Culture/Tribe

Zulu

African

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Shield

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Body Armor

Nomenclature Class

Armaments

Nomenclature Category

Category 05: Tools & Equipment for Science & Technology

Parts

Count

Material

ANIMAL SKIN

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Research Notes

Research Type

Researcher

Notes

This is a traditional hide shield from the Zulu people of South Africa. The Zulu shields were made for use in both battle and during ceremonies/dances. The front of the shield displays animal fur left on the hide while the back has leather straps through which a wooden handle would have been threaded. After the military reforms implemented by Shaka Zulu in the 19th century, regiments of the Zulu army had very specific, easily identifiable hide patterns to their shield. Each regiment was given specific cows to raise that would provide the hide for their shields.