Zulu Beadwork and Clothing The Zulu nation is the best-known sub-group of the Nguni tribe, which is one of the largest tribal groupings in South Africa. The Zulus have a rich culture with the traditional handicrafts and the intricate designs of their beadwork being especially noteworthy. This paper gives a brief history of the Zulu beadwork and clothing. It also describes how the beads are made and who makes them, what they are used for and the significance and symbolic meaning of the beadwork and clothing in Zulu culture.

History of Zulu Beadwork

Wearing of beads among the Zulus is an ancient tradition. The oldest known Zulu beads were made from bones, shells of ostrich eggs, stones, seeds, and metal. Present day high quality Zulu beads are almost exclusively made of glass, although cheap beads for every day use are now also made from plastics.

Glass itself has an ancient history and is believed to have been discovered in Egypt during the rule of the Pharaohs about 3000 years ago and the Egyptians are known to have engaged in trading of glass items for ivory, gold, and slaves with the African nations of the south. ("The Story of Zulu Beads").

The ancient seafaring nations of the Phoenicians used to trade in glass beads along the North African coast. The Arabs, who later conquered most of North Africa in the 7th and 8th centuries are considered to be the successors of the Phoenicians in the manufacturing and trade of glass beads. The Portuguese succeeded the Arab traders in the 15th and 16th centuries, and...

The Zulu tradition of fine glass beadwork thus draws on the heritage of different cultures giving it a unique and rich flavor. ("A brief historical review..")
Significance

Glass beads became a valued possession in Southern Africa and among the Zulu people initially because they were the products of an exotic technology. In due course, the beads gained prominence becoming part of the culture and customs of the people. They were worn for personal adornment as well as to signify social status, and political importance. (Ibid.)

Made by the Women

Zulu beadwork is exclusively designed and made by the women but is worn by both sexes. Beads are, therefore, also a means of communication between the males and females in Zulu culture. For example, men wear beadwork to signify their involvement with women they may marry; hence mothers and sisters do not make beads for their sons and brothers.

Codes of Shape

Each color and shape of the beads has a different meaning. Messages are often woven into the Zulu beadwork by weaving color codes in decorative, geometrical designs and shapes and it is even possible for a Zulu woman to "write" a "love letter" (incwadi) made entirely from beads to a sweetheart. ("The Story of Zulu Beads").

The basic geometric figure of the beadwork is the triangle (its 3 corners represent the father, mother, and child) and a maximum of seven colors are used in the patterns. An inverted…