Ndebele-Zimbabwe at African Antiques

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The Ndebele people of Zimbabwe

The Ndebele people of Zimbabwe were originally Nguni peoples from South Africa, and they were part of the Zulu empire—the Zulu were Nguni peoples also.

by Gary van Wyk from www.AxisGallery.com

First published in the discussion group at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AfricanAntiques/

The Ndebele were led by the Khumalo dynasty, and Khumalo clans still exist among the Zulu-speakers of South Africa today.

The Ndebele fled the empire of Shaka Zulu c.1830, at a time when the
Zimbabwean state of the Changamire Rovzi was already declining.

This Rovzi state (c. 1680-1830s) was a descendant of Great Zimbabwe, which fell into decline many centuries earlier. The Ndebele did defeat the Rovzi, and largely incorporated them. In addition, the Ndebele also took over territory of the Venda and northern Sotho.

Ndebele art

Like the Zulu, the Ndebele rarely had figurative art—they are better known for their utilitarian objects (which are very similar to those of the Zulu and other Nguni peoples—clubs, spears, staffs, snuff container, meat platters) and costume arts. They did not make or perform masks.

A useful book containing descriptions of all the the wooden objects made by Nguni peoples, including the Ndebele is by Lindsay Hooper, Some Nguni Crafts Part 3: Wood-Carving.

It can be ordered through Axis Gallery's store:

www.AxisGallery.com , in the Out-of-print section.

The exact link is: http://www.axisgallery.com/store/store-bop.html

I also recommend the volume Zimbabwe: Legacies of Stone, published by Tervuren,
which includes interesting illustrations and correct information.

Gary van Wyk from www.AxisGallery.com

First published in the discussion group at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AfricanAntiques/

read also: South African Art and and No Golden Rules

You can see a Ndebele exhibition in Orlando:

Orlando Museum of Art Showcases Major Ndebele Collection in U.S. Patterns of Life: Bold and Powerful Ndebele Art of South Africa Selections and Gifts from the Norma Canelas and William D. Roth Collection On view August 21, 2004 through July 31, 2005

The Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) showcases one of the best collections of Ndebele objects in the United States in the exhibition Patterns of Life: Bold and Powerful Ndebele Art of South Africa, Selections and Gifts from the Norma Canelas and William D. Roth Collection from August 21, 2004 through July 31, 2005. The exhibition is the seventh in a series from the Roth’s collection of African art, which highlights the many different artistic traditions of Africa.

ORLANDO, FL (PRWEB) August 12, 2004 -- The Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) showcases one of the best collections of Ndebele objects in the United States in the exhibition Patterns of Life: Bold and Powerful Ndebele Art of South Africa, Selections and Gifts from the Norma Canelas and William D. Roth Collection from August 21, 2004 through July 31, 2005. The exhibition is the seventh in a series from the Roth’s collection of African art, which highlights the many different artistic traditions of Africa.

The Ndebele people of South Africa are renowned for their sophisticated sense of geometric design used in many aspects of their lives ranging from objects of adornment to their distinctively painted houses. Ndebele art is powerful and bold in its use of color and line. This exhibition highlights Ndebele adornment with more than 90 objects including blankets beaded with thousands of individual glass beads, elaborate beaded aprons, elegant wedding attire and striking, colorful, beaded women’s hoops that are worn around the neck, waist and legs. Also included in the exhibition are illustrations of the Ndebele people by renowned South African artist Barbara Tyrell.

Norma Canelas and William D. Roth have been named among the top 100 art collectors in the country by Art & Antiques magazine. They are known for their collections of ethnographic headdresses, beadwork, textiles, crafts and contemporary art.

General Information
For further information, call (407) 896-4231 or visit the OMA’s web site at www.OMArt.org . Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors (55+), college students with ID and groups of 10 or more, $5 for students ages 6-18, free for children age 5 and younger and OMA Members. Residents of Orange, Seminole, Lake and Osceola counties receive free admission on Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. The OMA is open Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.; and closed Mondays. The OMA is located in picturesque Orlando Loch Haven Park at

2416 North Mills Avenue
Orlando, FL 32803-1483
ph (407) 896-4231
fx (407) 896-9920

Media interested in receiving promotional images on the exhibition may call (407) 896-4231, ext. 239, or e-mail e-mail protected from spam bots.

Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Orlando Museum of Art is supported by earned income, the Council of 101, donations from individuals, corporations and foundations, and sponsored in part by United Arts of Central Florida with funds from the United Arts campaign, State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

found at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/8/prweb148710.htm

Patterns of Life:
Bold and Powerful Ndebele Art of South Africa, Selections and Gifts from the Norma Canelas and William D. Roth Collection
Through July 31, 2005

This exhibition is the seventh in a series from the Norma Canelas and William D. Roth Collection of African art, and highlights Ndebele adornment with more than 50 objects including blankets beaded with thousands of individual glass beads, elaborate beaded aprons and elegant wedding attire. The Ndebele people of South Africa are renowned for their sophisticated sense of geometric design used in many aspects of their lives ranging from objects of adornment to their distinctively painted houses.