Headband Item Number: Ab353 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Long headband that has been folded in half to form two double layered bands that sit side by side each other. Bands are connected by red fibre ties at one end. Band is beaded overall with white beads and has geometric beading designs in blue, red, orange, and green outlined in 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
- 1235/0013