Shield

ClassificationsArms and Armor-shields

Culturepossibly Koore

Culturepossibly Oromo

Datelate 19th to early 20th Century

Made AtEthiopia, Africa

MediumLeather

Dimensions27 1/2 × 27 × 7 in. (69.9 × 68.6 × 17.8 cm)

Credit LineAnonymous Gift

Object number2017.10.152

DescriptionDue to trade, the many cultural groups of southern Ethiopia interchangeably use very similar styles of shields. Most shields of this type were originally made by the Koore, terrace farmers living in the Amarro mountains east of Ethiopia’s Abaya lake. Because of their dissemination shields with this distinctive ridge are often attributed to the people of the Oromo cultures to the northeast. To make these shields, hippopotamus hide is cut to shape, placed on a concave receptacle, and oiled as it is pounded and stretched into its unique shape. Finally, it is dried. The Koore used these shields for warfare and the celebrations following conflicts’ resolutions.

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