UNITS OF THE ZULU WAR 1879
The Umbonambi (Evil Seers)
My first look at a Zulu unit the Umbonambi or Evil Seers in English. This regiment saw action at Isandlwana fielding between 1500 and 2000 warriors. They also took part in later battles of the war. At Isandlwana they assaulted Durnfords position in the donga before he retreated into the camp and they followed him all the way. When I visited the battlefield my Zulu guide told me that Chelmsford heard that the camp was in danger so had an officer take his field glass to a high poit and see what was going on. He reported seeing cattle being driven into the camp. According to my guide what he actually saw was this regiment placing their shields over their shoulders in respect which they do at the end of the zulu film. They had just wiped out Durnford and because they respected him so much they performed this maneuver which from a few miles away made them look like cattle. I hope that story is true.
Durnfords men fire on the Umbonambi from the donga
The Evil Seers were an unmarried regiment so were doing the Zuku equivalent of national service.They carried red shields which is really a brown colour with white spots. Shields were property of the state and when a regiment was formed the unit would obtain skins from cattle that were as close to colour as they could. The rest of their outfit the warrior made himself and if he did a bad job would be ridiculed by his comrades. 
This warrior carries the smaller shield called a umbhumbhluzo which was 39" x19" he has a long crane feather tied to his otter skin head dress.
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