The Matabele!

These fearsome warriors were one of my last entries in the 'Fourth Annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge', but I was never really satisfied with them at the time and they have subsequently been tinkered with, which has seen some additional highlights and basing details added.  The miniatures themselves are 28mm metal sculpts from 'North Star's' Africa range and had caught my eye a while ago and so I added them to my 'Secret Santa' list and was delighted to find three packs of them under the tree on Christmas morning - thank you Santa!  

To quote directly from the 'North Star' web site,

The Matabele are an African tribe whose origins were in the mighty Zulu Nation. During the early 19th Century they rebelled and create an infamous name for themselves as they escaped North to settle in what is now Zimbabwe. The Matabele Kingdom was defeated in 1893 and 1896 by Cecil Rhodes and his British South Africa Company.

Now technically speaking these additions would see me starting yet another conflict of the Victorian era, but I just simply can't justify that at the moment, as tempting as it may be, and so this will be but the briefest dalliance with the Matabele wars.  With regards to the miniatures, there were very pleasing to work with; little was needed in the way of cleaning up, although there were some awkward mould lines that needed to be removed.  Simple, but powerful poses meant that the units soon started to command a presence on the painting table and the addition of some lovely details meant that there was plenty to keep my brush busy.

The first set  of four  miniatures represent Matabele Amadoda Warriors. The Amadoda were the senior warriors, the veterans of Matabele society and only went to war in time of national need. 

Next up are Matabele Warriors in full Regalia, painted here to represent the elite Insuga regiment. 

Perhaps my favourite pack contained the leaders or Induna of the various Matabele amabutho.  I loved working on the head-dresses and leopard skins, which they wore as symbols of rank. 

Finally I picked up an additional four miniatures of Matabele Warriors firing muskets. These warriors are simply attired and so could be used as additional skirmishing units with muskets for my Zulu Wars collection.

I was surprised at just how long these chaps lingered around the painting table, mostly because I kept putting off finishing them, but was obviously delighted to see them finally polished off.  Of course by posting them now they provide a much needed boost to my painting tally for the year!