The Ndebele people are broadly divided into Northern and Southern Ndebele. The Northern Ndebele people are in Zimbabwe and Botswana, while the Southern Ndebele are in South Africa (Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Limpopo provinces). Ndebele Art is a popular trademark of the Ndebeles. The Ndebele women are usually artistic, creating and painting patterns on their houses….
Xhosa comes from the name of the first Xhosa king called uXhosa. The amaXhosa are mostly in the Eastern and Western Cape of South Africa. The Xhosa’s call themselves “AmaXhosa” and speak the language, isiXhosa, the second most spoken language in South Africa after isiZulu. Nelson and Winnie Mandela were Xhosa. Popular Xhosa traditional delicacies…
The Zulus are the largest ethnic tribe in South Africa, mostly in the KwaZulu Natal area. Shaka Zulu (born 1787) was the founder of the Zulu Kingdom in South Africa. He was assassinated by his two half- brothers in 1828. The Zulu people speak the “isiZulu” language. The men wear an apron made of goatskin…
During the yearly Swazi Reed dance festival, maidens dress in their traditional attire carrying Reed to present to the King of Swaziland.
The Nguni is a general name for the Bantu speaking tribes in South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. The Nguni are broadly classified into 3, the -Northern Nguni – Zulu, Swazi The Swazis were originally in KaNgwane. -Southern Nguni – Xhosa, Thembu, Bomvana, Mpondo, Mfengu Xhosa people are predominantly in the Eastern Cape. -Ndebele – The…
Some examples of Swahili Proverbs or messages on a khanga are: Tunaipenda Africa yetu: We love our Africa Usinisumbue: Don’t bother me Adui mpende: Love your enemy Kheri ya Krismas na Mwaka Mpya: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Akili ni mali: Wits are wealth Mungu ndiye tegemeo…
How to Wear a Khanga Khangas can be worn as a top, tied into a skirt, used as a head wrap, shawl, towel, belt, apron, baby carrier… The most common way of wearing the Khanga is to wrap it around the hips. It is usually given as a gift during birthdays, weddings and other…
The khanga (or kanga) or Leso (Kenya) is a piece of printed rectangular colourful cotton fabric worn in East Africa. It is similar to the Kitenge but thinner and lighter. The design of the central part(mji) of the khanga differs from the borders (pindo) that surround it. The fabric is usually 1.5 m by 1…
