Zulu warriors earned a fierce reputation for wielding the shorter style

assegai spear, called the 'iklwa'. Its name is said to mimic the

chilling sound made as it was pulled from a victim. Alongside this

formidable weapon, they carried an oxhide shield, known as the 'ishilunga'.

In the heat of close combat, this well-coordinated pairing of spear

and shield proved devastating, allowing warriors to strike with

precision while maintaining strong defences.

Martini-Henry Rifle of the type used by the British at Rorke’s Drivt,

c1876 played an important part in the Zulu War, but, as in many

colonial wars, their use was one-sided. The Zulus lacked proper

training, rendering their shots largely ineffective.