|
Zulu beadwork is a centuries-old system of communication as well as decoration. Today, however, the necklaces, bracelets, anklets, headbands and dress accents convey little meaning.
Ntomb’nkulu Ngubane, a Zulu artist,
who visited LATTICE in Michigan during the fall of 1999 as Artists
in Residence funded by Kellogg Foundation and the volunteer efforts
of LATTICE members, explained that in previous generations “when a
girl wanted to write a letter to a boyfriend, she was illiterate,
but she could put the beads together and send him a message. The
colors meant a lot.” Now the colors are simply appreciated as part
of the individual designs which Ngubane and other members of
Ikusasalethu create. 
Ngubane and , Sikhosiphi Nene who was her traveling companion to the US and a basket artist, told LATTICE that “We want you to know that we are proud of these baskets and beads from KwaZulu Natal. There may be other baskets but they won’t be the ones made by us. And if you are a Zulu wearing the beads, you feel so proud…you feel that you are a Zulu woman.” Their pride and artistic skills are highly evident. |