Zulu Beadwork Belt South Africa DORI COLLECTION

Brand Unbranded
Type of Object Belt, Glass beads
Country of Origin South Africa
People Zulu
Materials Glass Bead, and string
Approximate Age 20th Century
Height (in) 2
Width (in) 27 with strings
Overall Condition Very good. Some of our beads have traveled at least three continents, and have graced numerous owners. Small chips, corrosion, and pitting are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.
Damage/Repair Missing a few beads, wear, loose beads

Old glass pony and seed trade beads. The tiny yellow ones are loose - missing a few beads. But overall they are in excellent condition. This Zulu beaded waist piece were worn by women around the waist over their skirt.

A Zulu beaded belt is a traditional belt worn by the Zulu people of South Africa, which is made from colorful beads. The Zulu people are known for their skilled beadwork, which they use to create a variety of decorative items, including belts, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings.

The Zulu beaded belt is typically made by hand, using a weaving technique that incorporates small, brightly colored beads into a decorative pattern. The patterns uséd in Zulu beadwork are often symbolic, representing aspects of Zulu culture and tradition.

Zulu beaded belts are often worn as part of traditional Zulu dress for special occasions such as weddings, funerals, and other cultural ceremonies. They are also popular as fashion accessories, and can be found in many markets and shops throughout South Africa.

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, Zulu beaded belts are also valued for their cultural significance and the skill and artistry involved in their creation.

Zulu beadwork has been valued as currency, as decoration, and as a marker of identity. Disingwayo the uncle of Shaka and Shaka himself, controlled the bead trade and monopolized not only the beads themselves but also the colors and designs available to groups within Shaka’s control. Beadwork became a status symbol and an important item of personal expression as well. Stylistic variations of beadwork such as pattern, color and color sequence indicate area or group affiliation. Colors and patterns take on more personally expressive meanings as in the case of Zulu “love letters.” Recently beadwork has become a symbol of political identity as well, with color and pattern indicating political affiliation.

Instead of beads being worn only by the conservative, traditional members of the community, wearing beadwork is increasingly being seen as reclaiming a cultural identity.

From the Collection of Dori Angus-Verhoog

These are from the collection of Dori Angus Verhoeg from Mbabane, Eswatini. Dori was a beloved friend of ours. We met her in 1994 when we lived in Southern Africa, driving around with our three youngest children in a uséd camper van. We met Dori at the wonderful gallery she ran, Indiglizi. She died several years ago, and her children, Anthony and Sonia Angus made her collection available to us when they closed the gallery this year due to COVID.

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