Ndebele Beaded Anklet Wide Ring South Africa 6 Inch

Additional Information: A anklet in the form of a circular ring nicely decorated with tiny glass beads in vibrant colors. Such beadwork is worn around the ankle of married women as parts of their ceremonial attire. The collar is in very good condition and can still be worn.

The Ndebele of South Africa are superb bead workers. The women used to wear brass rings around their neck and legs. A few still do, but most now have gold plastic replicas with Velcro, worn on ceremonial occasions. They wear aprons which are heavily beaded with glass beads, in geometric designs similar to those used to paint their houses. They wear beaded blankets like large shawls, and beadwork on their arms, ankles, and heads.. For similar examples and much more information, see Courtney-Clarke's NDEBELE.