User blog:SPARTAN 119/Shaka Zulu vs Kamehameha I

=Combatants=

Shaka Zulu
Shaka kaSenzangakhona or Shaka Zulu was the ruler of the Zulu Kingdom of present-day Africa, who lived from about 1787-1828. He was known for issuing a number of military reforms during his reign, for expanding the Zulu Kingdom, and for a number of military reforms. Shaka's reforms included the use of a shortened spear with a lengthened head (sometimes to the point where it resembled a short sword) known as the iklwa as a stabbing weapon. The Zulus would charge into a formation enemy with their iklwa after throwing their assegai, or throwing spears, in a manner similar to the Roman's use of the pilum and gladius. Shaka also perfected a pincer tactic known as the "horns of the buffalo, which decimated British troops at Isandlwana.

Kamehameha
Kamehameha I (Hawaiian pronunciation: [kəmehəˈmɛhə]; ca. 1758 – May 8, 1819), also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaiʻi's independence under his rule. Kamehameha is remembered for the Kanawai Mamalahoe, the "Law of the Splintered Paddle", which protects human rights of non-combatants in times of battle. Kamehameha's full Hawaiian name is Kalani Paiʻea Wohi o Kaleikini Kealiʻikui Kamehameha o ʻIolani i Kaiwikapu kaui Ka Liholiho Kūnuiākea.

=Weapons=

Zulu Axe (Shaka)
The axe used by the Zulu people had a straight handle about 2.5 feet long, with an iron head. The Axe head had a narrow crescent-shaped blade connected the the head by a thin iron bar. This lightweight blade design made the axe easy to swing rapidly.

Long Lei O Mano (Kamehameha I)
The Long Lei O Mano was a Hawaiian sword-club roughly two and a half feet in a length. The weapon had a wooden main body lined on the edge with shark teeth. When swung, the shark teeth cut in a sawing manner, cutting through flesh in a manner similar to that of the Aztec sword-clubs.

Iklwa (Shaka)
The Iklwa was the trademark Zulu weapon, a short, stabbing spear designed to for use at close range. The weapon, named for the sound makes as it enters it target, had a shaft about three to four feet long, with a dagger-like metal point, sometimes up the half the length of the spear.

Ihe Laumeki (Kamehameha)
The Ihe Laumeki is a Hawaiian spear with a length of about six feet. The weapon had a sharpened wooden point, with a series of shark teeth along the side of the point. These shark teeth increased the amount of trauma the spear caused, as removing the spear from the victim resulted in tearing of flesh.

119's Edge
Kamehameha's Ihe Laumeki for its greater lethality and length.

Assegai (Shaka)
The Assegai is a longer spear used by the Zulu for throwing. The weapon was had a shaft about five to six feet in length, with a leaf-shaped head. Shaka Zulu pioneered the tactic of throwing a barrage of assegai before moving in close with the ikwla.

Throwing Axe (Kamehameha)
The Hawaiian throwing axe consists of a roughly semicircular piece of wood with a straight handle. Attached the to the wood were a row of shark teeth, designed to cut into the victim with a sawing action.

119's Edge
Shaka's assegai for its greater accuracy and range.

Brown Bess Musket (Both)
The Brown Bess was the standard British musket for the late 18th and early 19th century. The weapon was a muzzle loading, smoothbore firearm firing a round lead ball. The weapon was typically fired in volleys at ranges of 50 meters or less, and was highly inaccurate at greater ranges.