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Visiting South Africa
Chapter III
- Allen Pittman
I finally managed to get some quality time in on my last visit to Johannesberg with Baf, a Zulu stick fighting teacher who thank
the gods was gentle but strong as an ox. Baf told me to watch his face as we fenced at half speed-"You will know I will not hurt
you by my face", he said. It was very frightening initially as the mace end is weighted and the additional torque as a result is
something that could cleave a brick. Baf kept finding my rear leg- knee and in a matter of minutes it hurt like a son of a ...he
pretty much "Baffed" me from one end of the courtyard to the other! but still what a complex and sophisticated art! with both
changing grips on the mace, use of the mace spike and either end of the pole which holds a shield which protects the hand. I
hope to get some pics of Baf but til then below is a jpg of what the practice weapons look like compared to other culture's
weapons. For reference remember the Scottish Claymore or two handed sword shown is about five feet in length from butt to tip.
Left to Right:
1. Middle sized metal shield
2. Zulu staff and shield (from the back)
3. Armor- Piercing Spear
4. Greek Hoplite spear
5. English Long Bow
6. Scot Claymore
7. Spanish Rapier (Circa 1500)
8. Zulu Mace
9. Khyber Knife (Afghanistan)
10. Kukri (Nepal/Burma/Thrac)
11. Masai hand club
12. Tibetan Battle Hammer (Dorje)
Below is detail on the Zulu Shield:
...and the Zulu use a "Punch Grip" like the Romans...but with a much lighter shield... once the hand is closed into a fist you can ram
the thing forward a bit like a light buckler but with the drag of the long stick, behind the shield gives you a very large
surface area to deflect with and which allows you to hit to the opponents eyes and crotch alternately as well as pin his/her
weapon or his body...
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