Shaka Zulu

This early 19th century print is depicts the decorative dress of the Zulu warriors. The long feathers in the head-dress and the cow tails around the shoulders were typical. Shaka preferred his soldiers to use the stabbing spear, although the throwing spear was still used, and the large shield was also a feature of his impi. Descriptions of Shaka's appearance do not correspond with this image of him. There are reports of his large nose and protruding teeth, and that he was not a good-looking man. It was traditional for Zulu chiefs and kings to be fat but Shaka was said to be tall and muscular.