Swati Maiden In Traditional Ceremonial Attire
During the yearly Swazi Reed dance festival, maidens dress in their traditional attire carrying Reed to present to the King of Swaziland.
Where does the Nguni Tribe come from?
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…
Khanga Cloth for Sale
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…
Ways to Tie a Khanga
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…
What is a Khanga?
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…
What is a Typical Yoruba Traditional Engagement List like?
Eru Iyawo (Yoruba Engagement List) The “eru iyawo” is a list given by the bride’s family to the groom’s family before the wedding. This list contains gift items required to be presented to the bride and her family by the groom’s family on the wedding day. Common items on the Yoruba Engagement List are:…
Moroccan Wedding Blanket
Moroccan wedding blankets are handmade by the bride’s mother and worn by the bride during the wedding ceremony. The bride wears the wedding blanket or “Handira” like a cape on her shoulders on her way to her matrimonial home. Some wedding blankets are even woven by female relatives of the bride, long before she thinks…
Cutting the Wedding cake
The bride and groom then go for a final outfit change and return to cut their wedding cake. The groom wears a suit while the bride wears a white wedding dress or a white “takshita”. The bride and groom share a last dance, eat the cake and leave after that for the wedding night.