Book elective book final 2

THE DECENT

BY KARABO NGCOZELA

Introduction This Book has been togeher by Karabo Ngcozela. Nelson Mandela Met rop olit an Universit y 3rd ye ar photography Student. I have attempted to put togther the a few of the cultures our cuountry has to o f f e r. s p r e a d i n g a c c o r s s t h e w h o l e country South Africa has a very rich cultural connection. With this series of photographs I have compiled I have loked at the Xhosa culture, The Zulu Culture and the Ve n d a C u l t u r e . T h i s i s t h e f i r s t i n stalment to the this great and colourful Series.

The culture of South Africa is known for its ethnic and cultural d i v e r s i t y. T h e S o u t h A f r i c a n m a jority still has a substantial number of rural inhabitants who lead largely imp overished lives. It is a m o n g t h e s e p e o p l e , h o w e v e r, t h a t cultural traditions survive most strongly; as South Africans have become increasingly urbanized and We s t e r n i s e d , a s p e c t s o f t r a d i t i o n a l c u lture have de cline d. Urb an S out h Africans usually speak English or Afrikaans in addition to their native language.

The Xhosa people are divided into several tribes with related yet distinct heritages. The main tribes are AmaGcaleka, AmaRharhabe, ImiDange, ImiDushane, and AmaNdlambe. In addition, there are other tribes found near or amongst the Xhosa people such as AbaThembu, AmaBhaca, AmaMpondo, AmaMpondomise and AmaQwathi that are distinct and separate tribes which have adopted the Xhosa language and the Xhosa way of life

Xhosa, Women’s Dress Code.

Image’s on Previous page (Blue and `Black Pattern & Orange and Black) Xhosa, Women’s Dress Code.

Image’s Above and Right (black and white pattern)

Xhosa, Women’s Dress Code.

Black and Yellow Pattern.

Black Doek and Beads.

CLOTHING M a n y X h o s a m e n a n d w o m e n d r e s s s i m i l a rly to people in Europe and the United States.

Pants for women have only recently become acceptable. As a result of missionary influence, it has become customary for a woman to cover her hair with a scarf or hat. Many rural woman fold scarves or other clothes into elaborate turban shapes. They continue to apply white or ochre-colored mixtures to their bodies and faces. Other unique Xhosa dress includes intricately sewn designs on blankets that are worn by both men and women as shawls or capes.

Xhosa, Women’s Dress Code

Xhosa, Women’s Dress Code

Zulu, Teenager’s Dress Code

The Zulu (Zulu: amaZulu) are a Bantu ethnic group of Southern Africa and the largest ethnic group in South Africa, with an estimated 10–11 million people living mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Small n u m b e r s a l s o l i v e i n Z i m b a b w e, Z a m b i a , Ta n z a n i a and Mozambique.

Zulu Women Women in different stages of their lives wear different attire. The older they g e t a n d m a r r y, t h e m o re t h e y cove r t h e i r b o d i e s.

Single Women An unmarried girl (intombi) wears only a short skirt made of grass or beaded cotton strings, she wears nothing on top regardless of her size, weight, small or large bosom. Zulus do not contribute any sexual meaning to the naked breast, but rather to back of the upper thigh. She then spruces herself up with beadwork. They also keep their hair short.

Engaged Women When a young woman has been chosen or engaged, she lets her hair grow and covers her breasts with a decorative cloth as a sign of respect to her fut u r e f a m i l y , i t a l s o i n d i c a t e s t o t h e c o m m u n i t y t h a t s h e h a s b e e n s p o k e n f o r.

M ar r ied Women M a r r i e d wo m e n cove r t h e i r b o d i e s co m p l e te l y, w h i c h s i gn a l s t h a t s h e i s o f f limits. She wears a heavy knee length cow hide skirt. The hide is treated until it is relatively soft, then the leather is cut into long strips and sewn t o g e t h e r.

Over the skirt, a cloth that is decorated with predominantly red, white and b l a c k i s w o r n o r d r a p e d o v e r. B e a d s a r e a l s o w o r n o v e r t h i s .

Married women also cover their breasts with either material or skin though nowadays they tend to wear vests or beaded bras.

Karabo Ngcozela is Port Elizabeth Based Photographer studying at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Universty Currently in his third year.

I focus on Street Journalism and Potraiture Photography.

Contact Karabo on: Cell - 0763011426 www.karabongcozela.withtank.com www.karabongcozela.weebly.com Blvkphotographer on Instagram Photography by Karabo Ngcozela on Facebook Karabo Ngcozela on Tumblr

Š All images Copyrighted by Karabo Ngcozela Pulblished at the Opera House, Port Elizabeth