E0144: Zulu- Beaded Necklace

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E0144

Classification Category:

3:Personal Artifacts ➞ Adornment

Marks/Labels:

TAG: "Zulu necklaces."

Materials:

binding agents ➔ adhesive

Dimensions:

15.5 cm L

Provenance of Object:

This object was held in the museum that Luther College started in 1877. This museum eventually grew into the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, and following this, non-Norwegian American ethnographic objects were returned to Luther and accessioned into the college’s Anthropology Collection. Without additional documentation, was likely obtained by the Luther College Museum (later the Norwegian-American Museum) between the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Use/Function:

In Zulu tribe, beads are symbol of social status extensively used in art and sacred ceremonial to appeal to the spirits. Zulu bead work is also used to convey messages. Handmade Zulu bead work is a craft practiced by the women of the tribe. Young girls make them for their favored boys. This love letters are called ucu. So beads are a medium of communication and expression of one's sentiments. Zulu men wear them all over their necks, heads and chests. The greater the number of love letters, the more sweethearts or wives the owner is shown to have, reflecting his wealth and status. The seven main colors used by the Zulu crafts women are green, blue, red, black, white, yellow and pink. To the Zulu the green means contempt or bliss, blue represent faithfulness, black means marriage, white represent purity and love, yellow means wealth. It should be noted however, the meaning of the colors are not always static. For instance, black can also represent darkness, misfortunes and green may signify sickness while blue represent happiness. Traditionally, Venetian glass beads were used, but today the use of plastic beads is more common. Anklets, bracelets, armbands, necklaces, cross-bands, waistbands, beaded capes and head rings are all still commonly used to adorn the leather undergarments. Current study reveals, modern bead projects in Kwazulu Natal have commercial and economic value and are being sold to tourists to bring huge revenue.

Source Locality:

Natal, South Africa

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