Assignment-04-04-1
Zandile Ntobela is part of the Xhosa tribe, and doesn’t specify the origins of her traditional beadworking. The Zulu and Xhosa share connections and conflicts, however they are considered separate tribes.
The colors of Xhosa beadwork have meaning that derives from historical contexts. Red, white, yellow and green individually symbolized different ideas. Blue is also used frequently in beadworking but the meaning has not been specified. Certain colors combined with various patterns can convey unique messages. Popular patterns include triangles, circular shapes, and stars. A red zigzag may correspond to an idea connecting royalty to rivers. Note that information on Xhosa symbolism is limited, and nothing can be confirmed.
Beads and buttons were a commodity for the Xhosa. Even after bead supply had significantly increased, their value remained high. Important Xhosa officials and chiefs would wear apparel with beads and buttons woven into them. Given that the beads were traditionally valuable, they still hold significance in the Xhosa.[1]
 | This is a user sandbox of Pizzaswallower2024. You can use it for testing or practicing edits. This is not the sandbox where you should draft your assigned article for a dashboard.wikiedu.org course. To find the right sandbox for your assignment, visit your Dashboard course page and follow the Sandbox Draft link for your assigned article in the My Articles section. |
- ^ Van Wyk, Gary (2003-10-01). "Illuminated Signs: Style and Meaning in the Beadwork of the Xhosa- and Zulu-Speaking Peoples". African Arts. 36 (3): 12–94. doi:10.1162/afar.2003.36.3.12. ISSN 0001-9933.