Ndebele Peoples (?), Zimbabwe- Spear- wood, iron, brass wire. Spears with short iron blades are closely associated with the Zulu Kingdom of South Africa, whose great king Shaka is credited with altering the longer, lighter throwing spear form to create a stabbing spear for hand to hand combat. Both the form of the spear, and the ornate braided wirework on the shaft, spread widely across the Nguni cultural region of Southern Africa, fianlly making its way north with the Ndebele. 53'' Provenance: Paul B. Travis collection- Paul B. Travis brought this item back when he traveled through East Africa in 1928.