Why read my blog?

If you are like me, and look for meaning in the things you create then you have come to the right place to find inspiration.  Beading is not just about making pretty things out of beads; beads have a diverse history and have played an important role in communication, representation and creativity for many different cultures.  When I create a piece of work that has meaning behind it, then that piece becomes more valuable and special.  This blog will begin by look at the role beading has played in the Zulu culture; what the colours mean and the significance of the triangle.  My aim is to inspire you to incorporate elements from other cultures (in this case the Zulu culture) into your designs.

Zulu beadwork

Beads are an important part of the Zulu culture in South Africa, everything is adorned with beads.  The most important role that beads play, however, is in courtship.  If a young man is successful in winning the admiration of the girl he has his eye on, she will make a beaded necklace for him and a matching beaded necklace for herself to wear.  Traditionally, these necklaces carried messages to their love one, they were love letters made out of beads. 

Beads are also worn by females:

·         to distinguish them from their older sister/s;

·         to show that they are engaged (much like we wear an engagement ring)

·         when they are getting married; or

·         when they have become a new mother.

One can see here the significance beads play in the Zulu culture.

Colour Interpretation

Colours mean different things according to the colours positioned next to them. Pearl Blay explains in her blog post African Beadwork: The Romance of Zulu Beads, how this works.  Below is a chart showing the colours they use and their meaning:

The Significance of the Triangle

The most significant shape used in Zulu beadwork is the triangle.  The three corners represent the father, mother and child.  If a triangle is pointing down it means that the woman wearing it is not married, if it is pointing up it stands for an unmarried man.  If two triangles have been positioned together at the base of the triangles then this means the woman is married, if the two pointed parts are joined then this means the man is married.

The Zulu Beadwork Necklace Collection shows the different kinds of necklaces that are still made to this day, my favourite is the Umgexo_wamaqanda.  

I highly recommend exploring some of these necklace designs and start thinking about how you can incorporate them in to your next piece.