The Springfield Art Museum is pleased to welcome Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence, opened on Saturday, August 17. This traveling exhibition presents a spectacular overview of a new form of bead art, the ndwango (“cloth”), developed by a community of women living and working together in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Beads are used in various parts of Africa as adornment or works of art. Beads can be in form of an anklet, bracelet, waist chain, necklace, rings, and earrings
Iziqhaza were worn in the olden days to differentiate Zulus from other tribes and as a symbol of pride. To stand out, Griffiths has taken the Iziqhaza concept and modified it to make it more sophisticated.
Beaded costumes designed for the Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans by artist and educator Big Chief Demond Melancon were on show at London’s V&A museum for London Design Festival.
African trade beads came about as a result of the need for traders along the route between Europe and Africa for a currency to trade with the Africans. Beads fitted here as the most appropriate medium of exchange due to the affinity that African people had for various types of beads.
African trade beads originated from Europe and were in the past used for trading purposes in Africa in the period between the 17th century and the early 20th century. Before the abolition of slavery, these beads were historically used by chiefs as currency in exchange for slaves, as well as gold and ivory. African trade beads were also popular amongst the African men and women of social standing as they were also a symbol of wealth.
He is well known for crafting a variety of artifacts to promote and preserve the cultures of various tribes in Western and Nyanza region.
Nakuru County Assembly Speaker Joel Maina Kairu with some of the MCAS in African attire. Mr Kairu has amended the Speaker’s rule which now allows ward reps to wear Kenyan made attire on Wednesdays.
