E0155: Zulu- Maternity Dress

Ethnographic

---

Identifier:

E0155

Classification Category:

3:Personal Artifacts ➞ Clothing ➞ Outerwear

Marks/Labels:

Former tag, now missing: " Maternity Garb for Zulu Women"

Materials:

animal ➔ hide/skin ➔ leather
metal
botanical ➔ fiber
animal ➔ hoof
colorant ➔ pigment
fabric ➔ thread

Dimensions:

91.5 cm L
65 cm W
56 cm H

Use/Function:

In tribal socialites like the Zulu, dress was an important marker of reproductive capacity. The purpose was not just to draw the eye directly toward the center of female reproductive and attract suitable mates. It was much more than that. In the past, mortality of mothers and babies during child birth was high. it was hard to bring a healthy baby with fluctuations in food resources, disease, and differences in medical practices. As a result, a "woman's reproductive and child-bearing abilities were not taken for granted but considered valuable to maintaining the vitality of the group" (p211). These abilities receive recognition in some societies including the Zulu's in South Africa. So the apron or maternity dress worn during pregnancy by Zulu women draws negotiation to her ability to bear children and her productive role in society.

Source Locality:

Natal, South Africa

Description:

Zulu maternity dress made mostly out of goat skin.

---