Beaded Apron (Jocolo), 20th century
Unknown artist, South Africaexpand_more
Leather backed by cloth, glass beads, 2 leather thongsexpand_more
The William Hood Dunwoody Fundexpand_more 90.51
On View in Gallery 236expand_more
Throughout their lives, Southern African Ndebele women wear various aprons that mark stages of social advancement. Pre-adolescent girls wear an apron of one solid piece, called a "ghabi"; when they reach adolescence, they start wearing a "pepitu", recognizable by its simple embellishment and lack of flaps. After marriage, a woman wears more elaborately adorned aprons: the "mapoto", for everyday use, has two square flaps; the "jocolo", with five rounded flaps, is typically reserved for special occasions. The "jocolo" on display here is made with very small glass beads, suggesting it was made between 1900 and 1950. After that time, larger beads—some made of plastic—became more popular.
Details
- Title
- Beaded Apron (Jocolo)
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 90.51
- Curator Approved
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