|
In Ndebele
culture, the initiation rite, symbolising the transition
from childhood to adulthood, plays an important role.
Initiation schools for both boys and girls are held every
four years. During the period of initiation, relatives and
friends come from far and wide to join in the ceremonies and
activities associated with initiation.
During initiation girls wear an array of colourful beaded
hoops (called izigolwan) around their legs, arms, waist and
neck. The girls are kept in isolation and are prepared and
trained to become homemakers and matriarchs.
The coming-out ceremony marks the conclusion of the
initiation school and the girls then wear stiff rectangular
aprons (called amaphephetu),beaded in geometric and often
three-dimensional patterns, to celebrate the event.
After initiation, these aprons are replaced by stiff, square
ones, made from hardened leather and adorned with beadwork. |
