Bead Pattern Research Articles

Beads as regulating the social life of the Zulu and Swazi

SYNOPSIS Very little has been written on the subject of beads among the Bantu. The following information has been collected from the Swazi of Swaziland Protectorate, and Zulu of eMangwaneni, Bergville, Natal. All facts are from personal observation and conversation with the people of these tribes, in their own environment. Regulating the social life of the Zulu and Swazi, beads are here treated as social sanctions of social codes; as tokens of love between young people in different tribes. The literature of beads with vocabulary is given, and colours and designs explained. Beads as decorations for status, and rank are discussed. Finally how to decipher bead patterns is explained.