Vintage AFRICAN BEADWORK Apron Ndebele Beaded Lighabi Apron/ Ethnic Traditionals

Description

AFRICAN BEADWORK Ndebele Beaded Lighabi Apron. Condition is "Used". Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.
Vintage African Beaded Art
Ndebele Girl's Apron (Lighabi). This beautiful beadwork is worn by young Ndebele girls in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The Lighabi start off tiny and are added to as the girl grows.
The Ndebele reflect and record the development of the entire life of both a woman and man, from birth through childhood, pubescence, adulthood, marriage, childbearing and to maturity through appropriate forms of beadwork. When a child is born, it is equipped with a single strand of beads, known as an 'umucu.' Next in the bead cycle is the 'lighabi,' a leather or canvas loin apron hung with beaded tassels and worn like an elaborate fig leaf.
This item shows wear on the back.
All beads are intact
Measurements
Length 11.25”
Height 10.5”
1/2” width
Weighs 1 pound 13 ounces