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A knobkerrie, also spelled knobkerry, knobkierie, and knopkierie (
Afrikaans Afrikaans is a West Germanic languages, West Germanic language spoken in South Africa, Namibia and to a lesser extent Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and also Argentina where there is a group in Sarmiento, Chubut, Sarmiento that speaks the Pat ...
), is a form of wooden
club Club may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * ''Club'' (magazine) * Club, a ''Yie Ar Kung-Fu'' character * Clubs (suit), a suit of playing cards * Club music * "Club", by Kelsea Ballerini from the album ''kelsea'' Brands and enterprises * ...
, used mainly in
Southern Africa Southern Africa is the southernmost region of Africa. No definition is agreed upon, but some groupings include the United Nations geoscheme for Africa, United Nations geoscheme, the intergovernmental Southern African Development Community, and ...
and
Eastern Africa East Africa, also known as Eastern Africa or the East of Africa, is a region at the eastern edge of the Africa, African continent, distinguished by its unique geographical, historical, and cultural landscape. Defined in varying scopes, the regi ...
. Typically they have a large knob at one end and can be used for clubbing an enemy's head. For the various peoples who use them, they often have marked cultural significance. Being able to carry the knobkerrie has also had a political dimension, especially in
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...
.


Name

The name derives from the
Afrikaans Afrikaans is a West Germanic languages, West Germanic language spoken in South Africa, Namibia and to a lesser extent Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and also Argentina where there is a group in Sarmiento, Chubut, Sarmiento that speaks the Pat ...
word ''knop'', meaning ''knob'' or ''ball'' and the
Khoekhoe Khoikhoi ( /ˈkɔɪkɔɪ/ ''KOY-koy'') (or Khoekhoe in Namibian orthography) are the traditionally nomadic pastoralist indigenous population of South Africa. They are often grouped with the hunter-gatherer San (literally "foragers") peop ...
or San word ''kirri'', meaning
walking stick A walking stick (also known as a walking cane, cane, walking staff, or staff) is a device used primarily to aid walking, provide postural stability or support, or assist in maintaining a good posture. Some designs also serve as a fashion acces ...
. The name has been extended to similar weapons used by the native peoples of Australia, the Pacific islands, and other places, and was also used in the British army.


Uses in southern Africa and abroad

Knobkerries were an indispensable weapon of war both in Africa and abroad. In Africa, the weapon found particular use among
Nguni Nguni may refer to: *Nguni languages *Nguni cattle *Nguni people *Nguni sheep, which divide into the Tsonga sheep, Tsonga, Ngoni (sheep), Ngoni, and Swazi sheep, Swazi types *Nguni stick-fighting * Nguni shield * Nguni homestead *Nguni (surname: Hl ...
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 stick A swagger stick is a short stick or Crop (implement), riding crop usually carried by a uniformed person as a symbol of authority. A swagger stick is shorter than a Walking stick, staff or Walking stick, cane, and is usually made from rattan. Its ...
s, 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. However, many sources emphasise the historical use of the ''iwisa'' in close-combat, where it was used to deliver blows, and also in executions. The Ndebele variant was known as ''induku'' and is similar in design to the Zulu iwisa. It was used as a swagger stick or thrown weapon. The induku could also be fashioned into the handle of a fighting axe which, unlike the Zulu, the Ndebele used as weapons of war. Tsonga clubs were also similar to the Zulu and Ndebele type with spherical heads but variants with more elongated oval heads were also used in what is now Mozambique. The Sotho under Mosheshe did not adopt Zulu style weapons and tactics and so unlike the Zulus it was regarded as an important weapon of war. Outside Africa, the British called their trench clubs knobkerries during
World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
, though their form was often not traditional. The weapon was used in No Man's Land by the poet
Siegfried Sassoon Siegfried Loraine Sassoon (8 September 1886 – 1 September 1967) was an English war poet, writer, and soldier. Decorated for bravery on the Western Front (World War I), Western Front, he became one of the leading poets of the First World ...
as relayed in the
Sherston trilogy The Sherston trilogy is a series of books by the English poet and novelist Siegfried Sassoon, consisting of ''Memoirs of a Fox-Hunting Man'', '' Memoirs of an Infantry Officer'', and '' Sherston's Progress''. They are named after the protagonist, ...
, his pseudonymous autobiography. During the
Apartheid Apartheid ( , especially South African English:  , ; , ) was a system of institutionalised racial segregation that existed in South Africa and South West Africa (now Namibia) from 1948 to the early 1990s. It was characterised by an ...
era in South Africa, they were often carried and used by protesters and sometimes by the police opposing them. Knobkerries are still widely carried, especially in rural areas, while in times of peace it serves as a walking-stick, sometimes ornamental. Knobkerries are still commonly carried by protesters. Knobkerries commonly feature on national and other symbols in Southern Africa. In South Africa they feature on the South African Coat of Arms, though lying down symbolising peace. They are also depicted on the
Order of Mendi for Bravery The Order of Mendi for Bravery is a South African civilian honour awarded to South Africans who have performed acts of bravery in attempts to save lives or property. It is granted by the President of South Africa for acts performed by South Afri ...
. A knobkerrie appeared on the former
flag A flag is a piece of textile, fabric (most often rectangular) with distinctive colours and design. It is used as a symbol, a signalling device, or for decoration. The term ''flag'' is also used to refer to the graphic design employed, and fla ...
of
Lesotho Lesotho, formally the Kingdom of Lesotho and formerly known as Basutoland, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Entirely surrounded by South Africa, it is the largest of only three sovereign enclave and exclave, enclaves in the world, t ...
between 1987 and 2006, on the
Coat of Arms A coat of arms is a heraldry, heraldic communication design, visual design on an escutcheon (heraldry), escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the last two being outer garments), originating in Europe. The coat of arms on an escutcheon f ...
and royal standards of Lesotho since its independence in 1966, and on the
Coat of Arms A coat of arms is a heraldry, heraldic communication design, visual design on an escutcheon (heraldry), escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the last two being outer garments), originating in Europe. The coat of arms on an escutcheon f ...
of the former (nominally independent) republic of
Ciskei Ciskei ( , meaning ''on this side of Great Kei River,
he river The He River is a tributary of the Xi River in Guangxi and Guangdong provinces in China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it ...
Kei''), officially the Republic of Ciskei (), was a Bantustan for the Xhosa people, located in the southeast of South Africa. It covered an area of , almost entirely surrounded b ...
.


Uses for Sotho people

Known as molamu or thoka, it is a stick and can be a walking stick or alternatively, it can be used as a weapon. The molamu is a stick that is made from the Mohlware tree
Olea africana ''Olea europaea'' subsp. ''cuspidata'' is a subspecies of the well-known olive tree ('' Olea europaea''), which until recently was considered a separate species (''Olea africana'') and is still mentioned as such in many sources. Native to mostly ...
. It is a fighting stick carried by men and boys from puberty.


Practical use

A molamu symbolises authority and power, and represents a readiness to separate an enemy from a friend. The molamu is symbolically used to break, to protect, to judge and to rectify social injustices.


Initiation

The molamu is an indicator of one's adult male status along with the
Basotho blanket The Basotho blanket is a distinctive form of woollen blanket commonly worn by Sotho people in Lesotho and South Africa. History Originally gifted to the then ruler King Moshoeshoe I by a British man known only as "Mr Howell" in the late 19t ...
seana marena, and are visual expressions of both practical and esoteric Sesotho ideals. Molamu is a sign of manhood, all male initiates carry it upon their return from
lebollo la banna is a Sesotho term for male initiation. ''Lebollo'' is a cultural and traditional practice that transitions boys in the Basotho society to manhood. It is a rite of passage where ''bashanyana or bashemane'' () pass puberty and enter adulthood to ...
. The molamu is traditionally passed down from one generation to another as men go through initiation. It is used to declare to
Badimo Badimo (Sotho-Tswana literally meaning "ancestors") is the name for the traditional African practice of ancestor veneration for the Sotho-Tswana people of Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa. Although most Sotho-Tswana people are Christians, in ...
that the young man has returned from his initiation, and garners their support and blessings.Riep, David Matthew Merkel. "House of the Crocodile: south Sotho art and history in southern Africa." PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) thesis, University of Iowa, 2011. https://doi.org/10.17077/etd.0dzbhfvg. Futhwa, Fezekile. "Setho: Afrikan Thought and Belief System. Nalane ka Fezekile Futhwa, May 2011 The molamu is held up while the initiates sing "ditoko", with the singer's eyes intently focused upon it. The molamu is also used to teach initiates the methods of "ho ya ka lanwa", which is a historical Sesotho martial art.


Spiritual use

The molamu is also used to bind empowering medicines, or moriana, to the staff, which affects the "seriti" which is the character or spirit of the owner. It is also a visual indicator of one's transition to adulthood, and maintains spiritual significance in Sesotho society.


Modern uses

Following an initiate's public introduction as a functioning member of Basotho adult society the molamu is typically stored in the ceiling of one's home, and represents the physical presence of the unseen. In contemporary southern Africa, one can also find decorative variations carried by new initiates after returning to their homes. These serve as accessories to the heavily ornamented outfits worn by the young men as a sign of celebration during the weeks following their return, and equally express the celebration of newly gained adulthood, drawing attention to the initiates.


Popular culture

* Knobkerries were among many weapons used by the Zulus on '' Zulu'' and ''
Zulu Dawn ''Zulu Dawn'' is a 1979 American adventure war film directed by Douglas Hickox and written by Anthony Storey and Cy Endfield. It is based on Endfield's book of the same name about the historical Battle of Isandlwana in 1879 between British and ...
''. * A knobkerrie was the main weapon of M'Baku, the
Marvel Cinematic Universe The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on List of Marvel Cinematic Universe films, a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. The films are based on characters that appe ...
's version of the
Man-Ape Man-Ape (M'Baku) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, and ...
, who uses it on the 2018 version of the Black Panther as well as '' Avengers: Infinity War'' and '' Avengers: Endgame''. * On ''
Deadliest Warrior ''Deadliest Warrior'' is an American television program in which information on historical or modern warriors and their weapons are used to determine which of them is the "deadliest" based upon tests performed during each episode. The show is c ...
'',
Shaka Zulu Shaka kaSenzangakhona (–24 September 1828), also known as Shaka (the) Zulu () and Sigidi kaSenzangakhona, was the king of the Zulu Kingdom from 1816 to 1828. One of the most influential monarchs of the Zulu, he ordered wide-reaching reform ...
uses a knobkerrie versus
William Wallace Sir William Wallace (, ; Norman French: ; 23 August 1305) was a Scottish knight who became one of the main leaders during the First War of Scottish Independence. Along with Andrew Moray, Wallace defeated an English army at the Battle of St ...
. * In the book
Lying Down With Dogs
' by Mark Zygadlo, a black knobkerry is carried by a "fearsome dwarf" in Chapter 4. * The protagonist of
George Bernard Shaw George Bernard Shaw (26 July 1856 – 2 November 1950), known at his insistence as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from the 188 ...
's short story ''
The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God ''The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God (and Some Lesser Tales)'' is a book of short stories written by George Bernard Shaw, published in London by Constable and Company in 1932. The title story is a satire, satirical allegory ...
'' wields a knobkerrie. *
Sara Penn Sara Penn (1927–2020) was an American designer who was the owner of Knobkerry, a clothing and antiques store, gallery, cultural center, and arts space in Downtown Manhattan from the 1960s to the 1990s. Penn designed clothes that utilized globa ...
's boutique was named Knobkerry, referencing the protagonist's weapon in ''
The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God ''The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God (and Some Lesser Tales)'' is a book of short stories written by George Bernard Shaw, published in London by Constable and Company in 1932. The title story is a satire, satirical allegory ...
''. * Neville, the Flying Swan's part-time barman in
Robert Rankin Robert Fleming Rankin (born 27 July 1949) is a prolific British author of fantasy comedy, comedic fantasy novels. Born in Parsons Green, London, he started writing in the late 1970s, and first entered the bestsellers lists with ''Snuff Fictio ...
's ''Brentford Trilogy'', keeps a knobkerrie behind the bar to deal with unruly patrons. *
Wilbur Smith Wilbur Addison Smith (9 January 1933 – 13 November 2021) was a Northern Rhodesian-born British-South African novelist specializing in historical fiction about international involvement in Southern Africa across four centuries. He gained a f ...
, the South African author, in his book ''
When the Lion Feeds ''When the Lion Feeds'' (1964) is the debut novel of Rhodesian writer Wilbur Smith. It introduces the Courtney family, whose adventures Smith would tell in many subsequent novels. In 2012, Smith said the novel remained his favourite because it ...
'', also refers to these weapons as ''kerrie'' which are used to throw at birds and animals in the bush to kill them.


See also

* Rungu (weapon) a similar club common in East Africa *
Shillelagh A shillelagh ( ; or , "thonged willow") is a wooden walking stick and club or cudgel, typically made from a stout knotty blackthorn stick with a large knob at the top. It is associated with Ireland and Irish folklore. Other spelling varian ...
similar club associated with Ireland *
Sotho people The Sotho (), also known as the Basotho (), are a Sotho-Tswana peoples, Sotho-Tswana ethnic group indigenous to Southern Africa. They primarily inhabit the regions of Lesotho, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. The ancestors of the Sotho peo ...


References


Further reading

* Dougherty, Terri (2008). ''Zulu Warriors''. New York: Capstone Press. * ''Journal of Natal and Zulu History'' (1992). University of Natal. Dept. of History. Durban: South Africa. * Knight, Ian (1989). ''The Zulus''. London: Osprey Press.


External links

* {{Africa Weapons Throwing clubs Clubs (weapon) African weapons Ritual weapons