Beadwork
There is no conclusive theory regarding the introduction of beads into Ndebele culture. It is thought that they have long been used by the Ndebele people and that the early glass beads, mostly of Czechoslovakian origin, may have been introduced during the second half of the nineteenth century by European traders. Beadwork has always been done exclusively by the Ndebele women, who are renowned for their artistic skills. Their beadwork and bead pattern-inspired mural paintings in particular have become an integral part of Ndebele culture.
The motifs used in beadwork and in wall painting show great vitality and dynamic response to the changing world around the artists. Commonplace items such as letters of the alphabet, especially from car registrations like TP for Pretoria, and N for Ndebele and Ndzundza, are used in their normal form or are elaborated for their design effect. Telephone poles, airplanes and the symmetrical geometric patterns of razor blades are also included. Stylized plant forms may express a hope for good harvests in a dry region. However the most frequent theme, as in wallpainting, is the house. Gables, gateways, steps, rooflines and light fixtures may all be recognized on women's aprons and on walls. These reflect the domestic interests of women, and may point to aspirations of idealized homes.
sample of Ndebele beadwork The types of beads used have changed over the years, and in more recent times the prohibitive price of the small, imported glass beads has led to the use of larger and cheaper plastic beads for more common items. Women who wish to make more fashionable items often recycle beads from older pieces of work. However, many of the old customs and uses for beads persist as women still painstakingly thread beads to make items such as the nyoka (literally 'snake'), which is a woven, beaded train worn by a bride during her wedding ceremony. Another trademark item is the unusual linga koba, or long tears, consisting of two narrow strips of woven beading that are worn hanging down on each side of the head. Mothers wear the linga kobe at the ceremonies marking the end of their sons initiation ceremonies. The pair of narrow beadwork bands attached to a headband reaching onto the ground represents the tears of sorrow and joy a mother has as she initiates her son into manhood.