african shields...this shield is made of hide (animal skin), stretched on a bent wood frame, then...
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African Shields
Different types of
African Shields
In Africa, shields were
traditionally used not only as
defensive weapons, but also
as decorative or ritual objects
filled with symbolic meaning.
They can be carved from
wood, woven and made from
a variety of materials and
even metal.
African shields can be very
decorative using different
colours and patterns
This shield is made of hide (animal skin), stretched on a bent wood
frame, then painted a unique with a typical pattern made up of
simple shapes.
MAASAI SHIELD, KENYA
The Maasai warriors are one of the most prominent and
respected ethnic groups in Kenya. Maasai men, in order to
become warriors, must go out alone into the bush and kill a
male lion with their bare hands. The warriors are so greatly
feared, it is told that lions and cheetahs will run away or
stop their hunting of game animals if a Maasai warrior is
anywhere close by. As soon as a Maasai warrior is
accepted, their spear and shield are decorated with red
paint, which is symbolic of their status in society.
Each shield is crafted from buffalo hide sewn onto a
wooden frame. Among the Massai, red paint was
traditionally obtained by mixing earth with blood or fruit.
White was derived from local clays, and black from the
skins of burnt animals. Younger warriors were only allowed
the use of black, white, or grey on their shields, while red
shields were for the senior warriors.
MAASAI SHIELD, KENYA
CAMEROON SHIELD
This massive shield, from the country of
Cameroon, offers the tribesman full body
protection while in a squatting position. Its
tight weaving cannot be easily pierced and
the medium weight construction allows for
quick maneuverability during combat. The
natural light provides excellent camouflage
while in tall grass. This type of shield was
primarily used on lion hunts.
CAMEROON SHIELD
ETHIOPIAN SHIELD
ETHIOPIAN SHIELD
The surface of this shield is nicely decorated with dotted
and other designs. This is a medium rounded Ethiopian shield
made out of leather.
Ethiopian shields come in a variety of designs and decorations
(beads, silver strips etc.). They are made of various materials
that include, wood, metal, vegetable fibre (rattan or raffia).
Leather is preferable as the hide is strong and resistant.
The hide used is from the buffalo, rhinoceros and elephant. A
good shield should offer maximum of protection.
ETHIOPIAN SHIELD
SONGYE SHIELD
Songye shields are all carved from single
pieces of wood. The heads on the shields
relate to the masks of this once warlike
people from the Dem. Republic of Congo
(Zaire).
SONGYE SHIELD
Kikuyu shield worn for ceremonial
dances. This is made out of wood
This leaf-shaped, wooden
dance shield is known as
ndome and is used in boys’
coming-of-age ceremonies
among the Kikuyu people of
central Kenya. On the reverse
(shown here on the left) it has
an arm grip carved from solid
wood and is decorated with
carved zigzag designs painted
in red, black and white.
To the right you can see a Zula
Warrior. An example of his shield is
on the left. This was used for
different wars such as state
wars, wars between different
tribes and holy wars.
This shield is made
of hide that has been
dried in the sun and
then flattened with
stones.
1. Design your shield, use the
different patterns that you can see
on the African Shields to do this.
Be creative.
2. Choose your art materials and
decorate. Remember to use earthy
colours as the original shields
would have been decorated using
found materials such as plants and
soil.
Make your African Shield
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