A PEEK AT: AFRICAN TEXTILES AND PATTERN

Bark cloth, Mbuti people, Congo.

How are African textiles patterns woven and made?

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Kwa-Zulu hat project, 2010. South Africa

Copyright: Phansi Museum, Glenwood, Durban

How did soccer inspire an ingenious beading project?

RAFFIA CLOTH EXHIBITION KUBA PEOPLE, D.R.C

The beauty, sophistication and finesse of raffia cloths, touch many. This virtual show reveals some of these extraordinary fabrics, woven from raffia by men and decorated with infinite skill, by women, of the Democratic republic of Congo.

Mukenge baskets, Mbunda people, Zambia

A steady rhythm , a confident hand, a little gravity… grain doesn’t see the basket it is winnowed in, otherwise it would relish the beauty of this agricultural implement.

Divination and Muti, practice amongst Swazi and Shangaan people. S.A.

Why are African traditional medicine and divination items displayed together at markets in urban areas?

Pregnancy apron, Zulu people, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa

Zulu married woman wearing pregnancy apron

The pregnancy apron is unique for its ritual context, symbolism, style of beading, links to heritage and as a relevant part of cross cultural gift exchange.

Rickshaws, costume and Zulu people, Durban, S.A.

Some may judge rickshaw pulling as being little more than slave labour. But what drove this drudgery to become a home grown subculture, a vibrant muesli of styles, culture and performance – outwitting boundaries of propriety to become a renowned event of choice?

ISICHOLO/HATS. ZULU PEOPLE, KWAZULU NATAL.

Did the elaborate hairstyles of married women from 1890-1940 influence the dimensions of headrests used by the Zulu people to sleep on?

DRUMS. AFRICA’S SOUND

Aroused -The drum’s pulse is a serpentine demon,  Stealing your viscera, strumming your spine.