Description

my latest offering entitled Ndebele, these are the ladies who were metal hoops on their necks to stretch their neck, there are strong cultural reasons for this and this is explained below.in this piece i have incorporated new influences (thank you Miss G) into my work including Real Swarovski crystals and this time painting the resin specifically areas This is my homage and nod towards the The Black panther movie, these are strong woman who are independent and live there lifes on their own terms. I think this is a triple meaning its Internal Womans day plus Black Panther movie and to top it off.Mothers day this Sunday. Black ladies be strong, be free and wankanda for ever!

Although the origins of the South African Ndebele are shrouded in mystery, they have been identified as one of the Nguni tribes.

Ndebele women traditionally adorned themselves with a variety of ornaments, each symbolising her status in society. After marriage, dresses became increasingly elaborate and spectacular. In earlier times, the Ndebele wife would wear copper and brass rings around her arms, legs and neck, symbolising her bond and faithfulness to her husband, once her home was built. She would only remove the rings after his death. The rings (called idzila) were believed to have strong ritual powers. Husbands used to provide their wives with rings; the richer the husband, the more rings the wife would wear. Today, it is no longer common practice to wear these rings permanently.