A MOST UNUSUAL FRAMED NECKLACE AND KNOBKERRY WITH AN ISANDLWANA CONNECTION
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A nicely framed display containing a necklace of brass buttons (some discoloured with age) approx 24 ins. long. The caption explains that the necklace was obtained from a chief of the amaChunu people in KwaZulu Natal, and had belonged to a relative, Mzumeni Mchunu, who had fought at iSandlwana with the Natal Native Contingent. The caption is in error in suggesting that the amaChunu were 'disgruntled with the hierarchy of their overlord, the Zulu King Cetshwayo' - in fact the amaChunu were independent of the Zulu kings and had a long history of hostility towards them. They were settled in the Msinga 'location' (reserve) in Colonial Natal, and were one of the principle African groups mobilised to provide recruits for the NNC. Over 700 amaChunu were enrolled in the 3rd Regiment, NNC, and they were led by the heir to the chiefdom, Gabangaye kaPakhade. They were part of the Centre Column, which crossed at Rorke's Drift on 11 January 1879, and were present at iSandlwana where some 240 men, including Gabangaye, were killed in the fighting. The framed display incorporates two images of men of the NNC. Also with this item is an excellent 19th century fighting knobkerry, also apparently belonging to Mzumeni Mchunu (28 ins overall, head 3 ins diameter, with a long stretch of neatly woven wire decoration below the head, and two smaller sections on the handle). These items were apparently collected from Chief Hlalempini Mchunu by the late Ron Lock during his research for his books on the battle of iSandlwana. Please note that the frame includes glass, and will be shipped at the buyer's risk
