Material: Leather, beads and thread
People: Ndebele
Country: South Africa
Description: The Ndebele reflect and record the development of the entire life of both a woman and man, from birth through childhood, pubescence, adulthood, marriage, childbearing and to maturity through appropriate forms of beadwork. When a child is born, it is equipped with a single strand of beads, known as an 'umucu.' Next in the bead cycle is the 'lighabi,' a loin apron hung with beaded tassels and worn like an elaborate fig leaf. It is replaced by larger versions as the child grows towards puberty.
Dimensions: 4 1/2" height x 4 1/4" width