Ox-hide war shield
egao
The tall hide shield carried with the spear — defence, identity and fighting formation in one object.
Gusii fighting men carried tall shields of ox-hide stretched on a light frame — large enough to shelter the body, light enough to pivot with. The photograph shows five Kisii men with their shields and spears, the standard kit of the fighting age-set.
Shields and spears were a man's responsibility to keep; they stood for the community's obligation to defend its cattle, land and people.
Cultural context
Warfare among the Gusii centred on cattle: raiding, counter-raiding and the defence of herds against neighbouring peoples and, later, against colonial forces. The shield-makers worked hide like the smiths worked iron — each craft completing the warrior's equipment.
