Nguni shield

The ihubelo is a large shield used for hunting, smaller than isihlangu, but larger than the ihawu.

Its primary function was to deflect spears, assegais or Khoisan arrows, but they were also carried during lion or leopard hunts.

[7]: 124–125  Likewise the vanquished enemy at times took up Zulu shields to hide their identity until they could make their escape.

[4] King Dingane's general Bongoza advised his warriors to hide behind shields and imitate grazing cattle,[8] in which way they lured Boer commandos into valleys and into striking distance.

A warrior's duty was to return his shield to the king as a matter of honour and patriotism – to leave them in enemy hands or on foreign soil brought ill fame.

[1][8] The colours of shields were chosen specifically by the Zulu king, and the national cattle herd was selected and bred with these hide preferences in mind.

[7]: 105  King Shaka favoured hides from cattle in Jobe's country near Mzinyati in Nkandla district.

[7]: 112 Tribal belief would have it that the qualities and properties of the valuable and revered inkomo would naturally be transferred to the shield, as like produces like.

Regiments of married men,[9] some 18 during Cetshwayo's reign, were entitled to wear a headring and carried white shields, made from hides of the inyonikayipumuli herd.

[2] Young men carried a small decorative igqoka when courting, to enhance their dignity and manliness.

[7]: 114  In rituals related to Nomkhubulwana ceremonies, young girls in role reversal took over their brothers' task as cowherds.

[4] Their production by specialists was perhaps a later trend, as Alberti (1810) noted that every Xhosa man of military age had to make his own, to be handed to the chief for safekeeping in a special hut.

[1][7]: 124–125 A double row of contrasting marks down the center of the shield, known as imigabelo (singular: umgabelo), are both ornamental and a convenient way of fastening the handle.

[4] The top of the stick reaches the crown of the warrior's head, and is decorated by strips of furry skin which are wound around it.