Small Toposa / Turkana Shield, "Upwal"
![Small Toposa Shield from Sudan, Africa. Made from leather and wood](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d2cf732c304d00001b4da4a/1663378463939-RTFQSF9VKFGFZL7N0SKJ/small-toposa-shield-sudan-african-tribal-shields-morgan-oaks-san-francisco-2.jpg)
![thumbnail_1385a.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d2cf732c304d00001b4da4a/1716495954199-7XIKV10IM7O6H36DLDBW/thumbnail_1385a.jpg)
![front side view of Small Toposa Shield from Sudan, Africa. Made from leather and wood](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d2cf732c304d00001b4da4a/1663378463887-I1A2TWGUNJ8X2GDBV9JL/small-toposa-shield-sudan-african-tribal-shields-morgan-oaks-san-francisco-3.jpg)
![side view of Small Toposa Shield from Sudan, Africa. Made from leather and wood](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d2cf732c304d00001b4da4a/1663378463972-XO7O4OKA6VZCST0JV8IG/small-toposa-shield-sudan-african-tribal-shields-morgan-oaks-san-francisco-4.jpg)
![back side of Small Toposa Shield from Sudan, Africa. Made from leather and wood](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d2cf732c304d00001b4da4a/1663378464144-4U6BYR3NO3UN78N403AT/small-toposa-shield-sudan-african-tribal-shields-morgan-oaks-san-francisco-5.jpg)
![close up detail shot of handle on Small Toposa Shield from Sudan, Africa. Made from leather and wood](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d2cf732c304d00001b4da4a/1663378464097-G4UU8O6FTVCJRCR9Y1W4/small-toposa-shield-sudan-african-tribal-shields-morgan-oaks-san-francisco-1.jpg)
Small Toposa / Turkana Shield, "Upwal"
$650.00
South Sudan
Leather, wood
Early 20th century
17 x 11 in. / 43 x 28 cm
This traditional shield is known as upwal is made from stretched hide with a vertical support pole that doubles as a handle. In later years, these shields were made of metal, which was considered lighter and safer. The criminalization of killing animals along with a ban on inter-clan warfare stopped the manufacture of leather and metal shields many years ago (Barbier, Boyer, Benitez-Johannot, Shields: Africa, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, 2000).
Domestic shipping included. International shipping quoted separately.