Zulu Blacksmiths

Posts : 1603 Join date : 2009-09-21

I have been looking at various Zulu weapons. Most of them have some form of decorative markings. Would theses markings be a representation of the blacksmiths signature. Also I was wondering if the Zulu Blacksmiths folded the medal similar to that of the making of a samurai sword, or was the metal just hammer flat and shaped.

Dave.

Subject: Re: Zulu Blacksmiths Mon Mar 29, 2010 6:27 am

Good morning. You are quite correct; there are often distinctive markings on spears especially that indicate which community manufactured them. This also occasionally applies to the design of the blade as well and as far as I am aware, is applicable nowadays.
A few years ago, I worked closely with an institution in the UK that had a sizeable collection of Zulu and other African spears that they wanted to return to South Africa. This was done and they were sent to the Campbell Collections. On their return to KwaZulu-Natal, the spears (which were acquired during the 1906 Poll Tax ('Bhambatha') Rebellion) were taken to Mpanza (where Bhambatha kaMancinza Zondi had his homestead) and their origins were identified.
Unfortunately the shafts had been cut to facilitate transportation to the UK, but the other aspects were clearly discernable.
Regards, Ken

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