Following on from our closer look at the Anglo-Zulu War British range last week, we are now turning our attention on their opposition – the Zulus!
The Zulu army was a formidable foe. Well-trained, well-led, and well-equipped for campaigns, the Zulu regiments were the terror of Africa. Created by the great Shaka, founder of the nation, each regiment was composed of small companies who trained together, and a regiment could be 1,000 men strong.They were then brigaded together to form divisions that could move at great speed and with drilled precision, forming the classic Zulu attack formation of the Horns of the Buffalo.
The military system formed units into married and unmarried units, so a cadre of young men would be forced to remain unmarried on the King’s orders until they had “washed their spears” in the blood of their enemies. They are armed with throwing spears, smoothbore muskets and the deadly stabbing short spear whilst their patterned ox-hide shields help identify their parent regiment.
We often get asked about the difference between Unmarried and Married Zulus. The easiest way to tell them apart is that the Unmarried are clearly happier whereas the Married hold little fear of death…
The first of our Anglo Zulu War plastic boxed sets, the Unmarried Zulus add a certain panache to the ranks of Cetshwayo’s armies. Wearing ornate head-dresses, cow tails leg and arm adornments and an eagerness to ‘wash their spears’ in the enemy, they provide the British forces with a very real threat.
This set contains 32 multi-pose plastic Unmarried Zulus, a background leaflet and an Empress Miniatures metal InDuna to help focus their energy.
The second plastic set for our Anglo-Zulu War range are these superb Married warriors.
Once they were blooded, and only then, would they sew in the characteristic head ring which is the symbol of a mature and married warrior, showing his much enhanced status in society. These then are the finest warriors of a fierce and proud army of 40,000 men, eager to preserve Zululand from all invaders, Swazi, Boer or British!
Each boxed set comes with enough plastic components to make 32 Married Zulus, plus 1 metal Empress Miniatures InDuna on foot with several weapon options.
For those of you wanting to start a new Zulu army we have a great value starter army boxed set which contains the following plastic and metal miniatures:
- 60 plastic multi-pose unmarried Zulu warriors
- 60 plastic multi-pose married Zulu warriors
- 1 metal Empress Miniatures mounted InDuna
- 1 metal Empress Miniatures Zulu runner
- 1 metal Empress Miniatures Witch Doctor
And to help you get those Zulu Impis into the thick of the action, we have this handy Zulu paint set.
It contains 6x paints from the Vallejo paint ranges.
- Charred Brown (Vallejo 72.045): Skin
- White (Vallejo 951): Shields and cow tails
- Flat Brown (Vallejo 984): Spear & Assegai shafts, muskets
- German Camo Beige (Vallejo 821): Cow Tails
- German Camo Orange Ochre (Vallejo 824): Animal skins
- Black (Vallejo 950): Hair, shields and cow tails
Black Powder – Zulu!, our horse & musket era, theatre specific, supplement rulebook is ideal for refighting the battles of the Anglo-Zulu War. The book covers the war in some detail as it provides scenarios and recounts the Battles Isandlwana, Defence of Rorks Drift, Nyezane, Holbane, Khambula, and Ginginilovu…
Osprey Publishing – Zulu 1816-1906, In this book Ian Knight investigates Zulu weaponry in detail, and also their society, beliefs and rituals, particularly with regard to ceremonies conducted before and after battles. Tactics, costume and customs are also carefully examined, making this a thorough account of the Zulu warrior.
Black Powder, our horse & musket era rulebook is ideal for refighting the battles of the Anglo-Zulu War. The book covers the war in some detail as it recounts the Battle at Ntombi Drift in battle report form…
So, if you can think of nothing finer than taking to the field of battle to refight great battles such as Quatre Bras, Bunker Hill, Rourke’s Drift, Blenheim, Gettysburg, and more, you’ll be needing a copy of Black Powder.
Dan Hewitson
Tom Mecredy
