This is a necklace made out of
silver. The neckpiece is manufactured with the use of high-end jewellery
techniques. This was an attempt to depict the Xhosa story of portable wealth. I
wanted to create a piece of jewellery that address the aspects of inheritance, on the milestone (Inkulu)
the pendant on this neckpiece represents the cow horns and a Xhosa hut (see fig 1). On the notion of an Inkulu
as the inheritor, I wanted to show the wealth as in terms of the old times.
My design process thoroughly looked at the things that are considered inheritance in the Xhosa society. The wealth is the homestead, the meal fields, and the livestock, so specifically looked for inspiration in two things, the homestead and livestock and I came up with a pendant design, the pendant I have designed and manufactured represent the true portable wealth of any Xhosa Inkulu.
In the Xhosa culture, Inkulu is the first-born son,
the one eligible for inheritance. The inheritor is fortunate to
inherit the homestead (see fig 2) and the livestock (see fig 3) of his family wealth. Of which could be converted into goods, exchange of livestock for
vegetables and paying lobola including other services should a need arise in
the society. I wanted to manufacture a piece of jewellery that socially
communicates that when worn by a person. I looked at the cow horns (see fig 3)
and the hut (see fig 2).
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| Figure 1 - Rozani, B., (2019) Inkulu neckpiece. |
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| Figure 2 - Linnegar, T., (2000) A traditional Xhosa hut (Uronta) |
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