Object Details
Maker
Ndebele artist
Label Text
The word nyoka literally means "snake." It refers to the physical appearance of the long, rectangular beaded panels that are identified with Ndebele brides, but it does not seem to imply anything snakelike about the garments' wearers. Unlike western bridal veils, these Ndebele creations were worn after the wedding on important occasions. There seems to have been quite a lot of variation on how they were worn: attached to a headpiece, draped from the shoulders as a cape, even worn down the front of the body.
Description
Long, rectangular panel of large white beads with three sections of multi-colored geometric motifs with black, purple and green dominant.
Provenance
Unknown Ndebele beadmaker [1], Bronkhorstspruit area, South Africa; purchased [2] by Suzanne Priebatsch and Norman Priebatsch, Johannesburg, South Africa, between 1974 and 1978; sold through the Jim Camp Gallery, New York, to Chaim Gross (1902-1991) and Renée Gross (1909-2005), New York, 1977 [3]; on loan to the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), 1978-1979; donated to the National Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C., 1983.
[1] It is likely that this piece was created by a female beadmaker. Photographs taken by Constance Stuart Larrabee (Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archive EEPA.1998-006) demonstrate that beadwork was and is a cherished activity of Ndebele women, occasionally assisted by their children.
[2] See: Sandra Klopper, “South Africa’s Culture of Collecting: The Unofficial History.” African Arts 37, no. 4 (2004): 22.
[3] Correspondence from Suzanne Priebatsch, July 18, 2025.
Content Statement
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Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Chaim Gross
Date
Late 20th century
Object number
83-12-38
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Textile and Fiber Arts
Medium
Glass beads, plant fiber
Dimensions
H x W: 124.5 x 18.4 cm (49 x 7 1/4 in.)
Geography
South Africa
See more items in
National Museum of African Art Collection
Data Source
National Museum of African Art
Topic
Marriage
Adornment
Female use
geometric motif
male
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmafa_83-12-38