The ihubelo is a large shield used for hunting, smaller than isihlangu, but larger than the ihawu. They were easily held in one hand, and were used in 1856 during Cetshwayo's campaign against Mbulazi. : 29–30 The umbumbuluzo was also a war shield, but only 3.5 feet (1.1 m) in length, and more sturdy than the isihlangu. : 29–30 It was king Shaka's shield of choice, and he intended his warriors to use it in an offensive way by hooking the opponent's shield during hand-to-hand fighting. The large war shield, of about 5 feet (1.5 m) in length, is known as an isihlangu, which means "to brush aside". True Nguni shields are made of raw cattle hide, as the esteemed Sanga- Nguni cattle lend distinction to the shields, which are more than mere commodities for physical protection.Īmongst the Zulus, there are various named varieties of these shields, each with a specific use. War shields were traditionally stockpiled by a chief or king, to whom they belonged, while a smaller shield was reserved for his subordinates' personal daily use, or as a complement at their dancing ceremonies. Strictly speaking these native names denote shields of different application, and additional types are known by other names. A cow-hide shield is known as isihlangu, ihawu or ingubha in Zulu, and ikhaka or ikhawu in Xhosa. Currently it is used by diviners or for ceremonial and symbolic purposes, and many are produced for the tourist market. ikhawu with staff 127 cm and hide 108 cm, 1948, Mount FrereĪ Nguni shield is a traditional, pointed oval-shaped, ox or cowhide shield which is used by various ethnic groups among the Nguni people of southern Africa. An early, blunt oval-shaped Xhosa shield, c.1805 Retainer of chief, with shield, 1870s, Queenstown ikhawu with staff 117 cm and hide 95 cm, 1935, Lusikisiki The iphovela was a headdress made of cow skin, and the ishoba or umshokobezi was a tufted cowtail used as an arm or leg decoration. Men wore a calfskin flap, the ibeshu, to cover the buttocks, and the umutsha loin cloth was tied to the body with a cow hide belt. Cowhide was used to make Nguni shields and the traditional skirt called the isidwaba.
Nguni culture Nguni Cowhide, The judges' table in a courtroom of the Constitutional Court of South AfricaĪmong the southern African Zulu people, cowhide was employed in various ways, though it has recently been relegated to ceremonial use. The best quality hides are usually presented in their natural colors, which are based on the breed of the bovine.
#COW HIDE SKIN#
These are usually those with damage (for example cuts and other injuries to the skin during the life of the animal) that causes the skin to tear post drying.Ĭowhide can be dyed to resemble skins such as tiger or zebra skins, but dyeing is usually reserved for the lower quality cowhides.
#COW HIDE FULL#
It is then naturally dried and the best hides are separated from the rest, with the ones that cannot be used in full as decorative items separated to be used as patchwork rugs. It ensures that the cowhide will last longer.
In the tannery, a traditional hair on hide tanning method is employed to ensure that the hide is soft, and less susceptible to odour and moulting. It is then selected in the raw state, at the very first moment when it is salted. Once a cow has been killed, the skin is removed. Cowhide is frequently processed into leather. Cowhides are a product of the food industry from cattle. It retains the original coloring of the animal. Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources.Ĭowhide is the natural, unbleached skin and hair of a cow. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. This article relies largely or entirely on a single source.
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