Explore the people of Swaziland and their art - available at the Standard Bank gallery .

Beads: more than just art

Amongst the many attractions on offer in Swaziland are unique art objects ranging from decorative features to sculptures, baskets, pottery, jewellery, clothing, glassware, and much more. Most of these objects originated from crafts that have been practised for generations in this country. The Swazi are well known for their attractive utilitarian objects such as combs, dolls, headdresses, headrests, ritual objects, snuff bottles and a range of weaponry, all of which are sought-after collector’s items.

Intricate beadwork also features prominently in the country’s art production. Intended as adornment, beaded items also designated the social and marital status of the wearer. A newborn child would, for example, be welcomed into the world with “lucky” beads placed around its waist, wrists and or neck. Beadwork also served as `love letters’, where different beaded patterns represented different stages in the couple’s courtship.

Personal adornment seems to have a high importance to the Swazi and is possibly most evident during two important annual ceremonies, the iNcwala (First Fruit Ceremony), and the Umhlanga (Reed Dance), where elaborate feathered headdresses, jewellery and dress feature prominently. (See www, everyculture.com)

Women may possibly be the most prolific art practitioners in Swazi society as they create objects originally intended for everyday usage, but this has now formed the basis for a thriving craft industry.

Women as stewards of Swazi arts and craft

Formal and informal sectors exist within Swaziland’s handcraft industry; many organisations actively promote the craft and tourism industries. The Tintsaba Crafts Cooperative, for example, established a rural project in the 1980s and has worked with women’s groups to produce and market quality crafts enabling them to sustain themselves without having to leave their homes.

Generations of women have used different types of grasses to craft baskets, which had very little decoration and which served various utilitarian purposes. Some of these tightly woven baskets were so intricately woven they became watertight and were used to store liquids; the natural fibre absorbed some of the fluids, while keeping its contents cool upon evaporation.

The women at Tinsaba have taken the intricate art of weaving a step forward; they use sisal, a pervasive local plant and add colour by using eco-friendly dyes. Harvesting sisal does not threaten the country’s natural biodiversity.

It takes at least 15 hours of preparation and another 15 hours of weaving to produce their unique colourful baskets. These and various other art objects are marketed globally, and have earned Swaziland a fine reputation in the international art and craft market.(see www.tinsaba.com and www.gonerural .com).