'The Awangwane woman, after she has borne a child, wears her bright bead-fringed· cape as an apron suspended from the waist. This is worn as an apron until its colours have gone and the beadwork breaks up. A woman has only one of these bright capes in her lifetime, and she will preserve it for as long· as possible for gala wear. Another modern item of gala dress is the brilliant striped towel which features throughout South Africa as cape or hip draping. The matron's hair style may still be built up but will always be taken down in times of mourning.'