Assegai

The topic of Assegai is of great relevance today and has been the subject of numerous studies and debates over time. The importance of Assegai lies in its impact on various aspects of daily life, from health to the economy. Throughout history, Assegai has played a fundamental role in society, influencing the way people relate to each other and the environment around them. In this article, different perspectives on Assegai will be explored, analyzing its impact on society and its relevance in today's world.

This article is about the type of spear. For other uses, see Assegai (disambiguation).
An askari guard at an Allied air training school at AFB Waterkloof, Pretoria, South Africa, January 1943

An assegai or assagai[a][2] is a polearm used for throwing, usually a light spear or javelin made up of a wooden handle with an iron tip.

Area of use

The use of various types of the assegai was widespread all over Africa and it was the most common weapon used before the introduction of firearms. The Zulu, Xhosa, and other Nguni tribes of South Africa were renowned for their use of the assegai.

Iklwa

Zulu man with the shorter iklwa

Shaka of the Zulu popularized the use of the shorter stabbing spear with a 610 mm (24 in) shaft and a larger, broader blade 300 mm (12 in) long in warfare, which was traditionally used primarily as a hunting spear. This weapon is otherwise known as the iklwa or ixwa, after the sound that was heard as it was withdrawn from the victim's wound.[3][4] The traditional spear was not abandoned, but was thrown from range at enemy formations before closing in for close quarters battle with the iklwa. This tactical combination originated during Shaka's military reforms. This weapon was typically used with one hand while the off-hand held a cowhide shield for protection.

Botany

It is also the name of a southern African tree (Curtisia dentata) whose wood was suitable for making spears or lances, most notably by the Bantu-speaking people of southern Africa.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ originally Berber languages: zaġāya, lit. 'spear'; Arabic: زغاية, romanized: zaġāya; Old French: azagaie; Spanish: azagaya; Italian: zagaglia; Middle English: lancegay)[1]

References

  1. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin: 2009. (TheFreeDictionary.com)
  2. ^ "assegai | Definition of assegai in English by Oxford Dictionaries". Oxford Dictionaries | English. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
  3. ^ Zulu 'Iklwa' war spear, therionarms.com
  4. ^ McBride, Angus (1976). The Zulu War. Osprey Publishing. pp. 9. ISBN 9780850452563.
  • The dictionary definition of assegai at Wiktionary