Xhosa artwork.

Xhosa bead work, like all African art, is steeped in symbolism and meaning. ... Historically, bead work played an important role in providing people with a sense of belonging and a cultural identity. It helped to provide a solid traditional base on which they could base their ethics, morals and ways of living.

●     The Wild Coast Trading Company.

●     Sources beautifully handmade products including jewellery, natural beauty products, traditional Xhosa clothing, wire craft, home decor and pottery directly from crafters and artists that are mostly based in the Wild Coast area of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. 

Mbali creations are making the traditional Xhosa clothing and jewellery, in this slide I have attached pictures of the Xhosa traditional jewellery she makes. Her Xhosa traditional jewellery is focused on the traditional accessories that are the main fashion of the Xhosa people, because the Amaxhosa has many clans, they have the same traditional accessories but they defer in design and the colours clans use. See figure “idayimani and figure “Mfengu, they are both headbands, from different clans.

Most of her work is made out of the traditional Xhosa colours which are white, blue, black and red. For business purposes and artwork she also can make the same traditional jewellery in other colours to accommodate her clients. 

Each piece of her work plays an important role in communicating the meaning i intend to covey with Xhosa bling.