peter monahan Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Did you mean the 'nasty, short and brutish' depiction, Mervyn? Not surprising, given both the events which engendered the drawing and the tenor of the times. Or have I misunderstood completely? Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted May 13, 2014 Author Share Posted May 13, 2014 No, well spotted Peter. They made his face very distorted. Mervyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted May 21, 2014 Author Share Posted May 21, 2014 The following six are Full Pages from the Illustrated London News. They were all originally B&W - which on mass can be quite boring - however, I used to have a brilliant artist in London , who watercoloured each print. He did great research on the colours to get them exactly right - and the result, as you see here - are dynamic pictures. They are 135 years old. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-61359500-1400666057.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-02211200-1400666578.jpgclick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted May 21, 2014 Author Share Posted May 21, 2014 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-05161100-1400666751.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-59258400-1400666902.jpgclick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted May 21, 2014 Author Share Posted May 21, 2014 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-37725600-1400667065.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-05718200-1400667203.jpgclick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted May 23, 2014 Author Share Posted May 23, 2014 The following are three drawings completed soon after the Anglo-Zulu war had finished. They show areas of countryside where events had happened. They are interesting in that they show the terrain without people in the way. This first one is where the French Prince Imperial was killed. I will be doing an article on this in the near future. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-00927100-1400839276.jpgclick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted May 23, 2014 Author Share Posted May 23, 2014 This is the rock in the Buffalo River - at the crossing where Lieutenants Coghill and Melville lost the two colours when trying to cross. They clung to the rock from exhaustion and when they managed to finish the crossing they were both killed by a party of Zulus. Their bodies were found at a later date and just above the spot where they were killed is a joint grave. Both were awarded the VC - the first Posthumous awards allowed by Queen Victoria. The Queen''s Colour was later found on the banks lower down the river - - however, no trace has ever been found of the Regimental Ensign for the 24th. Regiment. Probably found and hidden in a Zulu Kraal. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-88298600-1400839826.jpgclick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted May 23, 2014 Author Share Posted May 23, 2014 Looking down towards Rorkes Drift. The small hill -or,hump in the middle is the Oscarberg - from where the Zulus with captured Martini Henry riifles from Isandlwana , fired down on the beseiged 24th Hospital. These drawing were made by Lt. Crealock , who drew them immediately after the Battles - at which he was present. The originals are almost impossible to find - however, they were reprinted in 1969 in Natal. These have also gone out of print and are very difficult to find - I have a copy and will have it photographed to post. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-6209-0-26055800-1400840651.jpgclick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted June 4, 2014 Author Share Posted June 4, 2014 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-6209-0-75528100-1401879038.jpgclick I must tell you that I have ever only seen one other Zulu comb - and that was in a museum. The American who invented those metal combs with strong teeth to comb through African type hair, became a multi-millionaire. Yet, the Zulus had invented a similar instrument much earlier. This date back to about the 1850's and is made from bone - I don't think from a cow - not thick enough. Perhaps a goat - or, even a human leg bone. Perhaps an expert could help us on this ? The marrow is still present in the bone - although dried and shrunken. However, the strong teeth would have combed hair and this makes it very rare. Perhaps from Zulu Royalty ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted June 4, 2014 Author Share Posted June 4, 2014 The Reverse http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-6209-0-32574500-1401879636.jpgclick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted June 4, 2014 Author Share Posted June 4, 2014 On the top of the comb - at the end these Amazumpas - or, Wart design - have been carved. This proves their Zulu origin. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-6209-0-93829200-1401879797.jpgclick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted June 4, 2014 Author Share Posted June 4, 2014 Close-up of teeth http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-6209-0-10877000-1401880025.jpgclick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted June 6, 2014 Author Share Posted June 6, 2014 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-6209-0-80632200-1402050619.jpgclick These are a rare collection of 12 Zulu Arm or, wrist bands. Made of brass, they were probably to be worn by women and children in dance ceremonies. Each has been hand made and hand engraved - with all of the designs being different. I would say that they are quite early - perhaps even pre1879. However, I have only seen a few previous examples and it is possible that they were unique to just one Clan. I will show a few other examples for you to see the engraving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted June 6, 2014 Author Share Posted June 6, 2014 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-6209-0-42752200-1402051058.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-6209-0-69999200-1402051140.jpgclick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted June 6, 2014 Author Share Posted June 6, 2014 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-6209-0-88529200-1402051265.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-6209-0-16167600-1402051373.jpgclick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted June 6, 2014 Author Share Posted June 6, 2014 Cont. from page 12 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-6209-0-07441500-1402051524.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-6209-0-46778600-1402051621.jpgclick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted July 8, 2014 Author Share Posted July 8, 2014 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2014/post-6209-0-52116300-1404814149.jpgclick We have recently had a conference in Durban on 'Cultural Medicine'. The Professor in charge took these pictures which appeared in our Sunday papers. These are not staged photos but show how 'Muti' (the Zulu word for medicine - and used now by most SA's) is still done. The Govt.have now recognised these types of native practitioners to give sick leave certificates ! There are two types of this medicine - that practised by Sangomas , which is based on herbal infusions. However, many other things are added these days , which you really wouldn't want to know about. To consult a Sangoma is an expensive business and can cost thousands of Rands. The second type who practise are called Inyangas - this is witchcraft - and includes animal parts - and even murdered Africans - adults and children. They still play a big part in 'advising' and treating those who believe in this. I had a direct example of this at my home - the gardener had a stomach upset. He saw a Sangoma and was told it was one of my maids using poison - after which he wouldn't eat or drink anything she had prepared. He started to bring his own lunch - and hiding it under bushes in the front garden where he could keep an eye on it. After two official warnings he stopped threatening, but she gave up and left. Now he is back to his usual pleasant self. The clipping shows the costumes and beaded tools used by a Sangoma. The long haired whisk is a badge and when they threaten to touch someone you won't see them for dust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted July 8, 2014 Author Share Posted July 8, 2014 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2014/post-6209-0-38020500-1404815906.jpgclick Throwing the bones to divine the future Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted July 8, 2014 Author Share Posted July 8, 2014 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2014/post-6209-0-54140200-1404816089.jpgclick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted September 14, 2014 Author Share Posted September 14, 2014 Sometimes Zulu's in traditional dress and performing old ceremonies are just as culturally interesting as their weaponry. For this reason I have been including some of these in this section. This first set of photos - from the local paper - shows the President's son marrying a Swazi princess. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-89376200-1410704722.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-90485100-1410704860.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-80894400-1410705003.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-37651800-1410705153.jpgclick Probably took two leopards to cover him.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted September 14, 2014 Author Share Posted September 14, 2014 The present King Goodwill Zwelethini re-commenced the very old Reed Dance, some 30 years ago. The entrants have to be virgins and take a long reed to present to the King. The ceremony is taken very seriously and older women supervise. When it was re-started 30 years ago, only about 100 girls took part. This year between 30 and 45,000 were present. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-74735100-1410705442.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-47099300-1410705957.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-41878100-1410706172.jpgclick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul R Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 How common place are 130 year old Zulu antiques there these days? Are these items still being made as they were back then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry B Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Not sure if these belong here, but two African spearheads from my collection. Ngbandi type indentified Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted September 27, 2014 Author Share Posted September 27, 2014 Jerry - thankyou for showing these spear heads - very nice examples. The first three are not Zulu and I suspect more from one of the tribes in the East African area - or, perhaps as far West as the Atlantic Coast. These heads would be for both hunting and fighting. Did they come with a provenance ? The single one is very similar to a Zulu head - and the cow's tail binding is also one of the three types they use. My only doubts are that there are no pincer marks showing at the base of the head. These are invariably there - however, it might just be that I have missed them. Looking again I think I can just make out an indentation - so, Zulu. With the head cut from the shaft this could indicate an early period - our troops used to bring back mainly the tops since they were limited to 5 feet in the kitbag. This is not an Iklwa - or fighting spear. Rather, with the longer shaft to the head it is an Isiphapha - or, throwing spear. Part of a warrior's main armament, they often carried two of these - one Iklwa and perhaps an Iwisa , or Knobkerrie. Best wishes Mervyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry B Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Mervyn, the first one is for the Ngbandi tribe and is only one just shown with a montage of 3 views. The 2nd as you state is thought to be a throwing spear and is probably a Zulu type, though I am not at all any sort of expert on these so I have my information from other people. http://www.zyama.com/ngbandi/pics..htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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