Below is a sample of the beadwork that we have available. Feel free to contact us should you require more information about any of these pieces.
All of the pieces in this gallery were produced
by the Xhosa and Zulu of South Africa, with most of the items being made in the
1940’s to late 1960’s. Some of these pieces are strung on cotton, however many
of them are strung on animal sinew, as was the custom in the days before cotton
became readily available in the villages.
Each piece is unique, designed by the beader - usually for personal use, as a
gift to a close family member or lover.
Some of the pieces are unique in their complexity, the beader having chosen to
create something unusual, while other pieces such as the collars, girdle’s and
necklaces, typically follow the traditional colours and designs common to the
district of the community. All are beautiful, in perfect condition and all are
for sale.
Zulu back cloak - ibayi
This cloak would be worn by a married Zulu woman from the Nongoma district of
northern KwaZulu and is typical of 1960’s style beadwork.
Xhosa multi tiered belt
An unusual piece as it is more common to find individual belts than a joined
collection like this. It was made and worn by a Thembu / Xhosa woman from the
Lady Frere district of the Eastern Cape. Circa 1960’s
Xhosa pipes- izinqawa
All made from Acacia caffra or “mnyamanzi” wood. The long ones being used by
senior Xhosa women. The higher the status of the woman, the longer the stem of
the pipe.
The short pipes are smoked by men, while the one in the shape of a horse’s head,
is totally unique.
Xhosa walking / fighting sticks – Izinduku / amabhunguza
These sticks were used for self-defence, stick-fighting or as protection against
snakes and were traditionally made from wild-olive or “umnquma” wood. The
wirework is relatively uncommon in the Eastern Cape, being used far more often
by the Zulu or Southern Sotho.
The beaded cow-tail whisk – itshoba is used by diviners / shamans, ”amagqirha,”
praise-singers, ”izimbongi” or by ordinary people partaking in a traditional
dance. When used by diviners it is made from the tail of an ox, sacrificed to
mark the completion of the diviner’s training.
Xhosa collars - amathumbu
The collars on the left of the picture are beaded in the Mfengu-style while the
those on the right are in the Thembu / Xhosa-style. These collars are found in
the Lady Frere and Cofimvaba districts of the Eastern Cape and are worn by
senior adults – both men and women.
Xhosa pubic aprons - izinkciyo
These were worn by Thembu women under their full skirts “umbhaco.” They normally
are made from Venetian, handcut beads and the brass washers,”izingqwemesha,” are
of European manufacture and were sold to the Thembu by European traders.
Old leather purses - purses-izipaji
These purses were commonly made in the 1960’s, in urban townships such as Langa
near Cape Town and were bought by migrant workers as gifts for their wives in
the rural areas. The belts and purses are often decorated with bicycle
reflectors.
Should you wish to acquire any of these pieces, please contact me at
mark@africabead.com