 |
Zulu
beadwork is culturally regulated, so that one's status may be readily
determined. Because they possessed no written language, much of
their communication took the visual form of beadwork, especially,
beaded "love letters" conveying a message of love. The
colors and patterning were symbolic. In addition to love letters,
beaded belts, chokers, beaded core style necklaces, bands, bracelets
and rings, adorn Zulu women.
These fabulous pieces were collected
in the field in the 1970's by Rhoda Lurie. All these examples have
been displayed in museum exhibitions and are of museum quality.
|