Question About The Uthulwana at Rorkes Drift

Subject: Question About The Uthulwana at Rorkes Drift Sun Jul 25, 2010 10:56 am

See https://s638.photobucket.com/home/songofonions/index I used clay to create the leopard skin and ostriche feathers as well as used construction paper for the sakabula but my picture skills are yet to increase. I couldnt get a good picture of the front.

Do we know if the Uthulwana wore full regalia at Rorkes Drift? I would think from any after battle reports or anything of the sort they would have mentioned the Zulus in their full regalia.

According to an Osprey "The regiment was headringed in 1878. The headdress includes a brown crane-feather,otter-skin head-band, moneky-skin amabheqe, sakabula feathers and split white ostrich feathers--all apparently worn into battle.There is some photographic evidence for the leopard-skin cape over the cow-tails, and for the black and white amatshoba on the legs".

Iam looking for confirmation so I dont spend all this time adding to the figures in vain.

I would have thought they would have worn full regalia at Rorkes Drift. Main reason being they would have under gone the Zulu ceremonies before going to war. So there would have been a necessity to wear the uniform of the Uthulwana.

Subject: uThulwana regt at R.D. Sun Jul 25, 2010 2:09 pm

hi gunga din.
I am not to sure they wore the full regalia , I will check some references tomorrow and hopefully let you know
one way or the other . Idea

.
cheers 90th.

Subject: question about uThulwana regt. Mon Jul 26, 2010 2:05 am

hi Gunga din .
Have been informed by a collegue that they didnt wear their full regalia . The Zulu reg'ts were ordered to assemble
without their ceremonial dancing costumes , which were to expensive and fragile to risk on a campaign . It's possible
a few may have worn them , so it would be ok to include one or two for variety . Some no doubt wore the amatshoba
on arms and legs , or perhaps an otter skin headband with a feather or two in it , but most would have worn just the
loin coverings . If you have access to Ian Knights ' Zulu ' book , the silver one , there is artwork by Angus showing
a member of the uThulwana in typical war dress . Hope you find this helpful .
cheers 90th.

90th wrote:: hi Gunga din .
Have been informed by a collegue that they didnt wear their full regalia . The Zulu reg'ts were ordered to assemble
without their ceremonial dancing costumes , which were to expensive and fragile to risk on a campaign . It's possible
a few may have worn them , so it would be ok to include one or two for variety . Some no doubt wore the amatshoba
on arms and legs , or perhaps an otter skin headband with a feather or two in it , but most would have worn just the
loin coverings . If you have access to Ian Knights ' Zulu ' book , the silver one , there is artwork by Angus showing
a member of the uThulwana in typical war dress . Hope you find this helpful .
cheers 90th.

Thank you. This will save me a good amount of time adding to the figures as well historically accurate.

Subject: question about uThulwana regt. Tue Jul 27, 2010 7:44 am

hi gunga din.
No problem :lol: Glad we could help Idea

.
cheers 90th.