Zululand - Heart and Pulse of the Zulu Kingdom

Zulu Craft

The Zulu have their own particular style of traditional craftwork which is unique to their culture. One speciality is basket weaving. Baskets are created in a variety of styles and colours, are pleasing to the eye, and have significant pratical value in traditional life. The baskets are handwoven using indigenous raw materials which vary in availability depending on the season. Some of these include grass stems, Ilala palm fronds, fine Isikonko grass, Ncebe bark and Imizi grass.

Designs are intrically woven into the baskets to depict different meanings. Almost all designs reveolve around combinations of the triangle - denoting male, and the diamond-shape - for the female. Two triangles situated one above the other in an hourglass shape represents a married man while two diamonds set one above the other symbolises a woman.

zoom Ilala Weavers

Zulu women are also experts at beadwork, weaving beads into intricate patterns to form jewellery and other decorative ornaments. The beads were first made from ivory, bone, clay, seed, stones, sea- shells, egg- shells, plants, aromic wood and locally smelted iron. Vastly superior glass beads were introduced by European traders and became so popular that there are records of gold, ivory and even slaves being traded for them.

For the Zulu, beads have always been both a means of adornment and a form of art. But perhaps the most important aspect of beads in Zulu culture is the message carried by these works of art.

There is a complex language of beads, which is most commonly linked with love. Colours have different meanings - white is assosiated with purity, pink with poverty, blue with lonliness, green with pinining, red with tears and longing, yellow with jealousy, black with anger or hurt and striped beads with doubt.

Zulu maidens would send long involved bead messages (Ncwadi to their lovers ... weaving thoughts of grief, jealousy, poverty or uncretainty into her intricately patterned creation.

Other craft found in abundance within the region include painting, leatherwork, pottery, woven rugs and tapestries created from homespun wool,cotton and mohair and many crafted wooden items.

Craft is sold at a variety of outlets in Zululand - the most interesting being the numerous roadside markets which one encounters throughout this area. These markets are proving to be a lifeline for the economic upliftment of this region.

Craft Making

Canerat Crafts
A KZN registered tourism establishment
Telephone:(035)5504397
Fax:(035)5504438
E-Mail: aglund@digitalsky.co.za

Empangeni Arts & Crafts Centre
A KZN registered tourism establishment
Telephone:(035)7727622
Fax:(035)7727622
E-Mail: artcrafts@freemail.absa.co.za

FaFa Craft & Curios
A KZN registered tourism establishment
Telephone:(082)5146446
E-Mail:fafatours@yahoo.com

Injabuloyesikhala Youth Project
A KZN registered tourism establishment
Telephone:(076)151 4776
E-Mail: robertmthembu@hotmail.com

Mangosuthu Craft Village
A KZN registered tourism establishment
Telephone:(034)3313613

Manukelana Art and Nursery
A KZN registered tourism establishment
Telephone:(072)3476397

Vukuzame Craft Market
A KZN registered tourism establishment
Telephone:(072)104 6093

Zamimpilo Commmunity Market
A KZN registered tourism establishment
Telephone:(082)721 3055

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