Hey everyone. I just had a question about how common it was for infantrymen in Pre-Colonial Sub-Saharan Africa to wear body armor. Now I know that in the Sahelian states it was quite common for cavalrymen to wear various forms of armour, from padded cloth to chain mail and even iron cuirasses.
I also know that in the Kingdom of Benin, noblemen (who fought as infantry) would wear armor made from materials such as padded basketwork, pangolin scales or coral beads.
However, I am unsure whether this armor was commonly worn in battle or if it was purely ceremonial? I would also like to know if other African peoples made use of armored infantrymen? The only other reference I could find was of Balui pirates on the Ubangui river (in the modern day DRC) wearing leather armor, and I could only find that reference in the army lists for a wargame called "Death in the Dark Continent".
Thank you for any replies
I also know that in the Kingdom of Benin, noblemen (who fought as infantry) would wear armor made from materials such as padded basketwork, pangolin scales or coral beads.
However, I am unsure whether this armor was commonly worn in battle or if it was purely ceremonial? I would also like to know if other African peoples made use of armored infantrymen? The only other reference I could find was of Balui pirates on the Ubangui river (in the modern day DRC) wearing leather armor, and I could only find that reference in the army lists for a wargame called "Death in the Dark Continent".
Thank you for any replies