Headband Item Number: Ab352 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Long, beaded headband, rectangular in shape. The band is in three parts; two identical side pieces with dark blue, aqua, black and white beads in a geometric pattern. The central piece consists of two rows of white beaded squares joined together with lines of dark blue, purple, aqua and black beads.
History Of Use
Married woman's headband, called linga koba (‘long tears’), made from two narrow strips of woven beading, one to hang down on each side of the head, and connected by a narrow headband. According to Powell (‘Ndebele: a People and their Art’), the piece is worn by mothers on the occasion of their son's return from initiation. It is understood to record the woman’s simultaneous joy at her son’s attainment of manhood and her sorrow at loosing her boy. At the same time it marks her own status, as she arrives at the next stage of maturity.
Item History
- Made in South Africa
- Owned by Peter Christie before October 29, 1987
- Received from Peter Christie (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on October 29, 1987
What
Who
- Culture
- Ndebele
- Previous Owner
- Peter Christie
- Received from
- Peter Christie (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- South Africa
When
- Ownership Date
- before October 29, 1987
- Acquisition Date
- on October 29, 1987
Other
- Item Classes
- beadwork
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 1235/0012