Assemblage of heirloom pieces from the African Heritage trust collection.
The Xhosa people were herders & farmers.
Bags called ‘Inxili’ were used for carrying tobacco for recreation
as well as for rituals.
Smoking was a portal that would allow the
individual on earth to communicate with the ancestors for protection.
A Xhosa person is introduced to the culture of tobacco from birth to
death, such that when someone passes away it is sometimes said
that Inqawe uyibakile – ‘they have laid down their pipe’.
Beads were
used to decorate clothing & other objects of value.
The fringed skirt
- ‘inkciyo’ was worn from a young girls initiation and throughout
life.
The beaded collar is a traditional necklace called ‘Ingqosha’.
Height: 41 1/4" x Width: 23" x Depth: 4" - mounted
