How Can Heritage Day Unite South Africa?
Since the holiday is focused on celebrating the history, creativity, food, language of different tribes everyone has a sense of belonging. Photo-Credit: Musa Group.
What is Heritage Day and Why is it Important?
Heritage Day is a South African holiday where the diversity of culture, traditions and beliefs of South Africa are celebrated by its citizens. South Africans are given the opportunity to observe and celebrate their diverse cultural heritage.
How to Cover a bag with Fabric
What you need: An old handbag, clutch purse or school bag African print fabric (kitenge, Ankara) Some Glue A pair of scissors A knife 1. Remove the covering of your old bag, which will most likely be peeled leather or any other fabric for making bags. 2. Measure the fabric you need to wrap…
What is a Habesha Wedding?
“Habesha” refers to people who come from Ethiopia or Eritrea in East Africa (at the horn of Africa). So a Habesha wedding is simply a wedding celebrated from these parts or by the Habesha people.
What is Melse?
What is Melse or Melsi? A typical Eritrean or Ethiopian wedding runs for two days. The “white wedding” usually takes place on day one, while “Melsi” or “Melse” happens on day two. Melsi is the traditional wedding, beginning in the morning with beauty rituals for the bride; from braiding her hair, adorning jewelry to henna…
Akokobaatan Kente Pattern
“Akokobaatan” – Mother Hen Symbolic of motherliness, parental care, discipline and tenderness. From the proverb “when the hen steps on the feet of her chicks, she doesn’t mean to kill them”. (Little box of squares forming a diamond shape)
Kyemfere Kente Cloth Pattern
“Kyemfere” Zigzag pattern. Symbol of knowledge, experience, service, time…
“Nanka Tire” – Puff Adder’s Head (diamond patterns)
Kente Cloth Patterns and Their Meanings Symbol of exploitation or being overburdened with work. From the proverb – ” I cannot even carry the python, yet you are asking me to use the puff adder’s head as the carrying pad.” Photo of bride in Kente and red beaded dress by PK Hazel.