The Ndebele people hail from South Africa and are well-known for their beautiful styles of dress, adornment and crafts. The Ndebele women are probably the most recognisable of the African tribeswomen due to their traditional wearing of rings about their necks and legs which gradually cause the neck to lengthen over the years.

Origins – In the time of Tshaka, also seen as Shaka (1787-1828), one of the great Zulu kings, many of his subjugated chiefs decided they wanted to break away from his regime. The period was known as ‘Difaqane’, The Time of Calamity, and led to tribes from the Highveld being scattered and terrorised. The Ndebele, known as Matabele, were a direct result of this split from the Zulu nation.

History – The Ndebele became split into two sub tribes during the time of Chief Musi. The two sections were known as Manala, who lived in the north of the country, and the Ndzundza, who eventually travelled and settled in the south and east. Both sides retained their Ndebele traditions and heritage. It wasn’t until 1883 that the Ndebele lost their tribal lands. Their chief, Mabhogo, led the tribe in conflict against the Boer (South African Republic). The war lasted for eight months, but eventually led to defeat and tribal land being confiscated. Although no longer as powerful as once they were, the tribe held onto its strong identity.

Social and political structure – The Ikozi, or tribal head, leads the tribe and is usually aided by an inner circle of family members or close and trusted aides. This is known as the ‘amaphakathi’. Tribal areas are separated into wards known as ‘izilindi’ and these are watched over by heads of wards. Each family group inside a ward will have the head of family as their authority. Families live in homes known as ‘umuzi’. The head of the family would live there with his wife and any children who were yet unmarried. Should the family head have more than one wife, the umuzi was partitioned with a side for each wife and family.

Personal adornment – The Ndebele are world famous for the decoration of their bodies and their clothing. Although the women are more noted, the men also wear a variety of ornamentations, such as necklaces, which are usually made for them by their wives. The women are most famous for wearing the brass and copper rings (idzila) which once symbolised the wealth of her husband. Rings were worn around the arms, legs and neck and could not be removed until the woman’s husband died. Another traditional piece of female attire is the apron known as ‘ijogolo ‘. This was shaped into five fingers and worn by married women until the birth of their first child. Women also wore a marriage blanket (nguba) which would be worked on to mark important events in the woman’s life.

Ndebele houses were also fabulously adorned and this was considered the work for women. They drew and painted by hand which is remarkable when considering the geometric style of Ndebele house art. Ndebele women tended to be subordinate and painting her house was one of the few ways a married woman could express her sense of worth and personal identity, something which would set her apart from other women around her.

Beliefs, marriage and religion – Initiation into adulthood is an immensely important part of the Ndebele belief system. Initiation rites are held at four year intervals and the beginning of the initiation ritual will bring family back from far and wide to attend. Boys are initiated in a group and these groups have particular names which are recycled over the years, the Ndzundza having 15 of these ‘regimental’ names and the Manala, 13. The young girls are kept away from other people and trained to take their eventual places as matriarchs of the household and as wives. When the girls go through their ‘passing out’ ceremony, they wear ‘amaphephetu’ which are special aprons decorated with beads in three-dimensional patterns and these are swapped for stiff leather aprons at the end of the ceremony which signify their passing into adulthood.

Marriage amongst the Ndebele tended to be between different clans. The wife-to-be would spend two weeks in seclusion. On her emerging from the home of her parents she would be wrapped in a blanket and shielded under an umbrella carried by an a younger girl. During the marriage ceremony, the wife would be given the traditional marriage blanket. She would then move to live with the clan of her husband, but she was allowed to keep the name of her clan. Her children would take on the name of the father’s clan.

Ndebele religion was based around ancestor worship and the belief in curses and ill-omens. Izangoma, the tribal healers, were judged on their ability to cure curses and sickness, which usually meant throwing bones for divination and the use of traditional medicines. Izangoma were also thought able to contact the spirits for advice. Although this practise is still adhered to by some Ndebele today, many modern tribe members have converted to Christianity.

For more about these fascinating people, their culture and their amazing artworks, there are resource links below

Resources

Kruger Park – Details about the Ndebele with some pictures

Sahistory – Information about Tshaka

South Africa Tours – Information about the Ndebele and many beautiful pictures of their art