Zulu Executioner’s Knobkerrie

Zulu Knobkerries

Knobkerries were an indispensable weapon of war both in Africa and abroad. In Africa, the weapon found particular use among Nguni peoples. Among the Zulu people, they are known as iwisa. The iwisa was not typically used in combat – though they were occasionally used as thrown weapons in place of the throwing spear or isijula. Instead, the Zulu used iwisa as swagger sticks, ceremonial objects, or even as snuff containers. In the 20th century, the Zulu nationalist movement Inkatha viewed iwisa as traditional weapons and lobbied for the right to carry such weapons in public- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knobkerrie

Description

These types of knobkerries were typically carried by Zulu warriors of high status and also used primarily for execution.  The globular head consists of several studs with scratches, dents to some studs consistent to its age and use.