Most Zulu warriors were armed with an assegai (short spear) and a nguni shield made of cowhide.[20] The Zulu army drilled in the personal and tactical use and coordination of this weapon. Some Zulus also had old muskets, antiquated rifles, and some captured Martini-Henrys as used by the defenders, though their marksmanship training was poor, and the supply of powder and shot was low, and of poor quality.[21]
The Zulu attitude towards firearms was that: "The generality of Zulu warriors, however, would not have firearms – the arms of a coward, as they said, for they enable the poltroon to kill the brave without awaiting his attack."22 Even though their fire was not accurate, it was responsible for five of the 17 British deaths at Rorke's Drift.23[24]