Shield

ClassificationsArms and Armor-shields

Cultureprobably Oromo

Dateearly 20th Century

Made AtEthiopia, Africa

MediumLeather and wood

Dimensions23 1/2 × 11 1/4 × 4 in. (59.7 × 28.6 × 10.2 cm)

Credit LineAnonymous Gift

Object number2017.10.157

DescriptionDespite the only other example found of this shield attributed to the Amhara, this shield was mostly likely used by the Oromo or other neighboring people of south-central Ethiopia. Though nothing is written about leaf-shaped shields of Ethiopian regional groups other than the Konso, this is clearly made in the traditional Oromo style. Craftsmen called chawa in Oromo cut hippopotamus hide to shape, place it on a wooden mold, oil it as it is pounded and stretched into its unique shape, and dry it. A thick leather handle was rolled and secured to the back using four holes corresponding to four small protrusions on the from. The shape as well as the size of this shield indicate that this is a dance shield.

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