19th Century Zulu Sub-Chief’s (InDuna) Prestige Battle Axe (Isizenze)

Description

Untouched original Zulu officer’s axe from the 19th Century. Very solid looking prestige axe with a Viking looking style designed for wars circa 1850/1870/1890 wars.

CONTEXT

As weapons, the Zulu warrior carried the iklwa stabbing spear and a club or cudgel fashioned from dense hardwood known in Zulu as the iwisa, usually called the knobkerrie or knobkerry, for beating an enemy in the manner of a mace. Zulu officers often carried the half-moon-shaped Zulu ax or axe, but this weapon was more of a symbol to show their rank.

In fact Sub-chieftains (inDunas), duties involved consultations, assignments, and an induction ceremony that marked their transition from boys to full-fledged adults and warriors, the ukuButbwa. Kraal or Settlement Elders generally handled local disputes and issues. Above them were the inDunas, and above the inDunas stood the chief of a particular clan lineage or tribe. The inDunas handled administrative matters for their chiefs – ranging from settlements of disputes to the collection of taxes. In the time of war, the inDunas supervised the fighting men in their areas, forming the leadership of military forces deployed for combat (Wikipedia). Ntabazinduna, a township in Bulawayo is named after these warrior sub-chiefs.

Weapons inlaid with this type of brass tack work were not so common and many did not survive. Recently, a prestige staff/knobkerrie was sold at an auction ( STEPHAN WELZ AND CO.)  in South Africa:

ORIGIN/PROVENANCE

• Acquired in the UK from a private collection. Most likely brought home to the UK in the 1890s with some returning soldier as a memento of his African war experience.
• These types of weapons originally belonged to Chiefs/Sub-chiefs called inDunas symbolizing rank and prestige
• The Zulu often imported weapons, the blade design is common among several Nguni tribal axes.

BLADE &  TACK WORK

• The blade is made of copper (Extremely Rare) in excellent condition, thick & heavy blade
• The blade is commonly known as the half-moon blade, Strictly for High Ranking Zulu Officers
• Another Zulu trademark is the brass tacks, not too many axes with tacks survived
• Some of the tacks seem to have gone a bit of oxidation thereby turning green.

WOOD

The handle or haft is very solid and has a well-balanced feel to it. The bulbous top-end resembles a knobkerry with several brass tacks applied to it. This top-end seems to have undergone burns, otherwise, it remains solid. Similar axes have wirework around the shaft.

CONDITION

In untouched condition showing traces of burns perhaps from battle, chaps attesting to years of use /commensurate to age.

STYLE

Zulu / Shona / Nguni Tribes

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