Questions about the stylistic development of married womens’ dress in (Umkhambathini, Cato ridge, Hammersdale)
Questions about the stylistic development of married womens’ dress in (Umkhambathini, Cato ridge, Hammersdale)
The current development and appreciation of this work, is kept within the paradigm of oral history (as it is undocumented) risking disappearance once this generation passes on:
A brief explanation about African adornments, their historical context, materials, trade and social usage.
Some shop names in Accra are amusing! For the stranger and passer-by they are a constant source of delight. To name a few: “Don’t mind your wife, chop bar”. “Thy will be done hair salon”. “Slow but sure ladies fashion”. “God will provide electric store”. “First class front wheel drive advisor”. “Blood of Jesus furniture […]
“You may say that art is in our blood”.. George Bope, commenting about the Kuba people, 2002. After 1994, when South Africa opened up to the rest of the continent, rich cargoes of raffia cloth were conveyed in battered portmanteaux from war torn Congo to Johannesburg flea markets for sale. Here, these beautiful black, cream […]
Bright, loud and competitive these advertising boards depict the latest hairstyles in fashion. They are carried either by itinerant barbers or nailed to salon walls, enticing the passer-by to stop a moment for a fabulous grooming experience!
In 1937, Julius Lips wrote “the impression of the white man’s superiority did not last long. The natives began to know him better and ceased devising tales which would explain his superiority. They soon found that the white man was only another species of the human race. When they became familiar with him, they treated […]
In this third part of an article on African puppet theatre, I examine stage production, the manipulation of puppets and the type of controls used:
Talbot wrote “Amongst the Ibibio, if a puppet was dropped or its hidden mechanisms exposed, the offending puppeteer was slain and the rest of his troupe sold into slavery...” This punishment was advocated at the turn of last century. Today things are a little different!