Skirt
20th century
When an Ndebele woman marries, she is first given an unbeaded goat skin in a shape similar to this. After several months, the bride's mother-in-law sews a version that is completely beaded. As the woman settles into her marriage, she can begin to make aprons and paint walls that distinguish her aesthetic sensitivity. This example shows an early 20th century preference for large expanses of white beads. Toward the end of the 20th century, Ndebele women began making garments out of plastic with electrical tape, rickrack and lace added with glue.
Leather, glass beads, and brass rings
29 1/8 x 27 1/4 x 1/2in. (74 x 69.2 x 1.3cm)
Gift of Katherine White and the Boeing Company
81.17.1290
Photo: Paul Macapia