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 leather or canvas loin apron hung with beaded tassels and worn like an elaborate fig leaf. It is replaced by larger versions ( see Pepetu, Mapoto, and Jocolo ) as the child grows towards puberty.
Height: 5 ¼" x Width: 4" - it is 13 ¼" in length with the blue and white beaded strand.
