DepartmentAfrica
Maiden's Apron (Isiphephetho / Isiphephethu)
NameApron
CultureAmaNdebele / Ndzundza Ndebele peoples
Dateca. 1950
Place madeNdzundza Ndebele peoples, Transvaal region, ZIMBABWE, Southern Africa, AFRICA
Mediumpounded goatskin, glass beads, thread
Dimensions15 3/8 x 16 15/16 in. (39 x 43 cm)
Credit LineGift of Rosina Lee Yue
Object numberA.1996.34.2
DescriptionNdebele women continue to create and wear their renowned beaded garments for special occasions, maintaining a vibrant tradition that visually communicates identity. In Ndebele society, a woman’s life stage can be immediately recognized by the form and decoration of her traditional beaded attire—whether she is a child, a pubescent girl, a bride, or a married woman. Upon reaching puberty, a girl enters a period of seclusion, during which her mother and grandmothers teach her the traditional arts of beadwork and mural painting. On her coming-out day, she wears a rectangular beaded front apron made by her mother, along with other ornaments she crafted during seclusion. This apron marks her as pubescent and eligible for marriage proposals.This Isiphephetho or Isiphephethu, young woman's beaded apron, features the traditional background of white seed beads with a house or building motif in blue, green, and light pink beads.
Early 20th century
Early 20th century
Early 20th century
Early 20th century
Early 20th century
Early 20th century
