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