Editing Spear (section)

===Africa===

==== South Africa ====
[[File:Zulu warrior.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Zulu people|Zulu]] man with [[iklwa]], 1917]]
The various types of the [[assegai]] (a light spear or [[javelin]] made of [[wood]] and pointed with [[iron]] or fire-hardened tip) were used throughout Africa and it was the most common weapon used before the introduction of [[firearm]]s. The [[Zulu people|Zulu]], [[Xhosa people|Xhosa]] and other [[Nguni people|Nguni]] tribes of South Africa were renowned for their use of the assegai.
[[Shaka]] of the [[Zulu people|Zulu]] invented a shorter stabbing spear with a {{convert|1|ft|cm|abbr=on|order=flip|sigfig=1}} shaft and a larger, broader blade one foot (0.3m) long. This weapon is otherwise known as the ''[[iklwa]]'' or ''ixwa'', after the sound that was heard as it was withdrawn from the victim's wound.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.therionarms.com/reenact/therionarms_c1279.html|title=TherionArms – Zulu 'Iklwa' war spear|website=www.therionarms.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=McBride, Angus|author-link=Angus McBride|title=The Zulu War|year=1976|pages=[https://archive.org/details/zuluwar00mcbr_0/page/9 9]|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=9780850452563|url=https://archive.org/details/zuluwar00mcbr_0|url-access=registration}}</ref> The traditional spear was not abandoned, but was used to range attack enemy formations before closing in for [[close quarters battle]] with the iklwa. This tactical combination originated during [[Shaka#Social and military revolution|Shaka's military reforms]]. This weapon was typically used with one hand while the off hand held a [[cowhide]] [[shield]] for protection.

==== Egypt ====
Similar to most armies of their period, [[Ancient Egypt|Ancient Egyptian]] forces were centered around the use of the spear.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Roos |first=Dave |date=2 December 2020 |title=9 Ancient Egyptian Weapons and Tools That Powered the Pharaoh’s Army |url=https://www.history.com/news/ancient-egyptian-weapons |access-date=30 March 2023 |website=History.com}}</ref> In battle, spearmen would be armed with a [[bronze]]-tipped spear (dja) and shield (ikem), which were used in elaborate formations much like Greek and Roman forces. Before the [[Hyksos]] invasion into Egypt, wooden spears were used, which were prone to splinter, but the influx of a new population brought innovations around bronze technology. Unlike other cultures who wielded spears at this time, the Egyptians did not treat their [[Javelin|javelins]] (around 1 meter to 3.3 feet long)<ref name=":0" /> as disposable, using them both for thrusting and throwing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dhar |first=Rittika |date=2023-01-09 |title=Ancient Egyptian Weapons: Spears, Bows, Axes, and More! {{!}} History Cooperative |url=https://historycooperative.org/egyptian-weapons/ |access-date=2024-03-30 |language=en-US}}</ref>