s

Ndebele Beaded Dolls

These colorful beaded dolls are from the Ndebele people in Southern Africa. One of the smallest tribes of the region, the Ndebele are noted for their brightly colored clothing and bead work.

During courtship, a suitor will place a doll outside a young woman's hut, indicating his intention to propose marriage to her. When a young woman is preparing to marry, she is given a doll that she names and cares for. Her first child is then named for the doll.