Xosa motherhood, Grahamstown, Eastern Province [Makhanda, Eastern Cape], 1948
Scope and Contents
'The sign of recent marriage amongst women of Xosa tribes, is the black head swathing or ‘elya’ worn low over the eyes. Until the child is weaned its face is decorated with white, the mother's face, shoulders and upper arms being treated in similar fashion. The wide bead collar is a common Xosa form of adornment, the necklace of large wooden beads being a health charm for the child. These health charm necklaces assume many forms and are worn from Port St. John to Port Elizabeth by all conscientious mothers.'
Dates
- Creation: 1948
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Language of Materials
English
Finding aid date
2014-12-10 14:08:13+00:00
Geographic
Repository Details
Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository
Cambridge University Library
West Road
Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom
Map Dept enquiries: maps@lib.cam.ac.uk
all other enquiries: mss@lib.cam.ac.uk