Assegai



An assegai or assagai (Arabic az-zaġāyah, originally from Berber zaġāya "spear", Old French azagaie, Spanish azagaya, Italian zagaglia) is a pole weapon used for throwing or hurling, usually a light spear or javelin made of wood and pointed with iron.

Area of use
The use of various types of the assegai was widespread all over Africa and it was the most common weapon used before the introduction of firearms. The Zulu and other Nguni tribes of South Africa were renowned for their use of the assegai.

Assegai
Shaka of the Zulu invented a shorter-style spear with a two foot shaft and which had a larger, broader blade one foot long. This weapon is otherwise known as the iklwa or ixwa, for it was the sound that was heard as it was withdrawn from the victim's wound. It was used as a stabbing weapon during mêlée attacks. The traditional spear was not discarded but was used for a softening range attack on enemy formations before closing in for close quarters battle with the assegai. This tactical combination originated during Shaka's military reforms.

Botany
It is also the name of a southern African tree (Curtisia dentata) whose wood was suitable for making spears or lances, most notably by the Bantu peoples of southern Africa.