Phansi Museum :P3

 

brick stitched belt, blue, red and white beads 

Zulu beading 

Zulu love letter neck piece

Zulu Love letter neckpiece being worn

Phansi Museum: P2

Handmade Zulu Clay pot: beer pots known as Ukhamba

 

Designs on the Ukhamba: Triangles and dots

Safety pins, fabric, mirrors and beads 

Beads for the colourful patterns, mirrors, fabric and wooden spoons

Fun fact: the spoons were used for eating, with one person taking their share from the pot and then passing it on. Men and women's spoons were differentiated by the handles of the spoon; men had a pointed tip on the handle, boys had a blunt type of point, and women and girls had more of a curved or flat edge on the handle.

Phansi Museum visit part 1

On the 11th of October 2023, as fourth-year students, we joined the first-year students for their visit to the Phansi Museum. As a non-Zulu person, I found it fascinating to learn more about Zulu culture, their designs, clothing, and tribal traditions they've developed. It was also a valuable experience with our leader, Nkosi, who taught me many things, allowing me to engage by pronouncing Zulu words and even participating in traditional dances with the wooden structures they use to carry the grass mats for sleeping or resting a body part on. Here are some of the images I found interesting from the visit:

Zulu dolls

I took this picture specifically as it reminded me of the time when I was in primary school, my school project for arts and crafts was to make a Ndebele doll. 

beaded basket  a sculptured handle and cowrie shells

Zulu beaded basket with the triangles forming the design.

beaded basket 

Woven basket made from dried grass

Royal Show:African tradition

On the 27th of May 2023, my family and I visited the Royal Show in Pietermaritzburg where it is a well-known show for entertainment, agriculture, and stalls. The one thing that my attention more than anything else at the show were the Traditional African hall, where there were a range of bead works, animal skin used for fashion purposes, the traditional vs modernized items were visible at this stall. 

Animal Skin pillows and fashion wear 

The animal skin has been used to create a pillowcase, dyed fur used as a handbag and shoes. These items have been made from actual animal skin. Interesting how they dyed the animal fur to create the fashionable handbag.

The bead work for the traditional Zulu attire

The bead work used for traditional Zulu woman amazed me for their neat bead working skills, the vibrant colours used speaking out to their culture and the variation of patterns visible on these bead work pieces were mind-blowing. 

Beaded bracelets

I took a picture of my favourite beaded bracelet which was the snow leopard bracelet...I always wanted one and was so amazed someone actually made my favourite animal purely through beadwork.