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Course: Art of Africa > Unit 6
Lesson 2: South Africa- Marriage apron (itjogolo or ijogolo), Ndebele peoples
- Married Woman’s Apron (Ndebele peoples)
- Thethana, South Sotho artist
- Beaded collar (ingqosha), Xhosa artist, South Africa
- Santu Mofokeng, Train Churches
- William Kentridge, drawing from Tide Table (Soho in Deck Chair)
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Married Woman’s Apron (Ndebele peoples)
By Dr. Christa Clarke
This five-paneled garment is known as an ijogolo, a bridal apron worn by Ndebele women. Upon marriage, the groom’s family traditionally gave the bride a plain leather or canvas apron with five flaps. The newly married Ndebele woman embroidered that apron, creating bold geometric designs with imported glass beads. She would wear this apron on important ceremonial occasions to signify her married status. The multiple panels, referred to as “calves,” symbolize the future children the woman will bear.
Throughout southern Africa, peoples wear beaded garments that comment upon their stage in life and convey aspects of their individual identity. Different types of beaded artifacts may communicate social and marital status, number of children, and a person’s home region or ethnicity.
Although the historical origins of southern African beadwork are uncertain, it is known that glass beads from Europe were available in the area as early as the 16th century through trade with the Portuguese. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the region became the world’s largest consumer of glass beads. Dating beaded works is difficult, although the color and size of the beads, the patterns and motifs, and the material used can all provide some indication of age. Older works typically have leather backings and use mostly small, white beads with minimal color designs, as in this example.
© 2006 The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (by permission)
Essay by Dr. Christa Clarke
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- why was the Pretoria convention signed in 1881(2 votes)
- It was signed in order to bring an end to a war. It was signed in 1881, because that's the year that the war ended.(1 vote)
- one question.... can you guys plz make more facts about south africa then just two articals? thanks! i have i project about south africa due in 4 weeks and i need lots of facts about it. Thanks!
learner(1 vote)- Dear Ella, learner.
You're going to have to look elsewhere if you plan to get more information about the art of Southern Africa. Try some of what you'll find here: http://bfy.tw/LN7L(1 vote)