'A Zulu youth, when out courting, proclaims his mission in very definite terms by wearing feathers in his hair, his love tokens in beads and by carrying a small courting shield. The two crossover bands of beadwork are the engaged token in his district and have their own story to tell. Small panels of beads worn at the throat are love letters and express clearly the feelings, hopes and fears of the girl who has made them. The meaning given to colours and their combinations vary from district to district. Red may mean warm feelings, eyes red with watching for the loved one; blue, the colour of a bird's wing, suggesting the swift flight of thought. Yellow may represent either wealth or poverty and green either lush meadows or evil conditions. Black is either evil omen, or desire to wear the married woman's skirt.'