The Umbonambi regiment was formed between 1820 and 1827 by Shaka the Zulu leader. By the reign of Cetshwayo and the outbreak of the Zulu War these warriors were mostly older veterans.

They wore leopard skin headbands with monkey skin earflaps and feathers of the crested lourie, and often around their necks a circlet of charms to denote their having killed many times in battle. Throughout the regiment’s history they carried a shield of a ‘junior’ colour which was mostly black.

They fought in the battles of Isandhlwana, Kambula, and Gingindlovu.